Main Street Pinedale

What's your story, morning glory? 

Main Street Pinedale was established because a core group of Pinedale residents deeply cared about what direction Pinedale was headed after the energy boom. They could see the vision of a bustling small town and believed in the potential of what Pinedale could be. They didn't want it, to be yet another shuttered rural community in the wake of the bust. They wanted Pinedale to be a place where people wanted to live, where small business thrived, a "cool place" where their kids would wanted to move back and could make a living.  

Even though local government literally had millions of dollars from the boom, the business corridor was run down. There were more than 14 vacant buildings on Pine Street alone, there were no side walks on the side streets. There was no pride in Pinedale the "town".  People driving through pretty much just stopped to go to the bathroom and continued on. There was a negativity that lingered in changing things and new people coming in. When you asked residents what were Pinedale's assets, you got 2 responses mountains and wildlife. People only wanted to get OUT of Town. 

Main Street wanted to change that, we wanted to celebrate Pinedale's cool history, it's current culture, and make the business corridor a place where people wanted to stop and hang out. We wanted people to think of our town and businesses as an asset. We wanted them to think of Pinedale as a place worth investing in. 

Main Street Pinedale is not the type of "economic development" entity that you have probably heard about. We make small improvements that build on each other, step by step. We realize a façade grant of $2000 can make the difference between making commercial building improvements and not doing them. 1 might be nothing, but 24 buildings improved is getting somewhere on a 1-mile Main Street. A strategically planned event in the off-season can make a difference between local businesses struggling through Spring or comfortably sliding through to June.  A vendor fee can make the difference of someone trying a business idea, that leads to a bigger business or just staying home. 

Its our pleasure to report that our strategy is working. 

Since our inception in 2011, we have completed 24 façade grants distributing $24,000 in grant money in return over $1.5 million of private dollars has been invested in downtown buildings. The public sector has invested over $40 million in downtown infrastructure, which has completely changed the look and feel of the streetscape. Along with public art, improved flower barrels, pedestrian improvements like crosswalks, signs, benches, trash cans, landscaping, gateway signs, and bike share bikes. A range of events have been added throughout the year. The vacancy rate has been reduced more than 70%. The business community has almost completely changed hands with the average age of the business community being around 40 years old. 

People are starting to talk about how "cool" Pinedale is, they talk about our businesses with pride, they stay here to participate in events, they bring their guests downtown, public amenities are part of the conversation, visitors wander the streets. People want to STAY in Town.  They have a reason to. 

There is a positivity in the air about Pinedale, people look to the future without resentment or fear, community groups are working  together better than they ever have. It's not just the same ten people volunteering.

The thing about momentum is it continues to build...

Join us by donating to our general fund, which pays for the administration of Main Street Pinedale. It keeps our programming consistent, on point, cutting edge, and keeps Pinedale moving forward.