OUR ACTIVITY REPORT: THE RESULTS
The Rues principales Network member municipalities confirm that the revitalization strategy that they have established generates eloquent results.
After more than 25 years of initiatives and partnerships with more than 250 municipalities and districts in Québec, the Rues principales Foundation is proud to have helped create thousands of jobs and to have contributed to the start-up of hundreds of new businesses and enterprises, to the establishment of a multitude of original animation activities, and to the realization of several hundred building conservation and renovation projects as well as numerous public/urban planning.
IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
- Rapid, structured organization of community resources
- Establishment of the sort of open, straight-forward spirit of collaboration that results from a partnership involving all interest groups
- More effective joint action among stakeholders
- New synergy in the municipality
- Emergence of a new sense of solidarity among the different local partners
- Development of solid foundations for ensuring the project's success and future growth
- Adoption of a positive attitude that spreads throughout the entire municipality
- Emergence of a new sense of pride among residents and a feeling of belonging to their community
- Renewed confidence in the future
Each year, more than 1000 volunteers across Québec are active in implementing a revitalization process.
IN THE FIELD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Creation of an investment-friendly climate
- Increase in real estate assessments in the sector and in property values
- Collaboration with business recruiting efforts
- Creation of new businesses and new jobs
From 1985 to 2008, the ripple effect of implementing a Rues principales strategy generated more than 7000 new jobs, 1600 new businesses, over $260 million in public investments and over $630 million in private investments.
IN THE FIELD OF ANIMATION AND PROMOTION
- Rapidly establish an organized activities calendar
- Increase the marketing effort for the main street
- Prepare many collective promotions
- Augment the business community's participation in the activities
- Increase merchants' knowledge of each other and thereby promote linkages among members of the business community
- Increase goodwill downtown
- Encourage families to return to the downtown area
- Improve customer greeting and service
Each year, over 3000 volunteers actively take part in organizing and holding over 550 activities and initiatives in their municipalities.
IN THE FIELD OF PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS
- Define planning directions and objectives
- Resolve traffic and parking-related problems
- Develop an awareness of the many assets of the built and natural environments and of the area's heritage value
- Gradually augment the quality of physical improvements
- Develop an awareness of the fact that a pleasant, beautified area leads to improved perceptions and a more positive atmosphere
- Generate a ripple effect among the local population
- Improve the residents’ environment