Connected Communies Program- Improving Our Downtown Commercial Core

The City of Harrisburg welcomes new businesses to town, and supports economic development in our community.  We encourage our citizens and investors to live, work, shop, play, and invest in the City of Harrisburg! 

A Connected Commuity - Opportunities to improve downtown Harrisburg!

Harrisburg joined the Oregon Main Street Network, through the Connected Communities level.  This program is for communities who are affiliated with the Main Street Program.  Connected Communities helps to revitalize downtown areas.  Emphasis at this level is building a strong organizational base that will support long-term efforts. 

The approach focuses on and recognizes that local businesses are incredibly important to the cities that they are located in.   Principles include creating an inviting and inclusive atmosphere, (Design), building leadership and strong organizational capacity (Organization), marketing a district’s defining assets (Promotion), and building a diverse economic base (Economic Vitality).

The City of Harrisburg has created a monthly advertising insert into the City's utility billing mailing.  This reaches 1300 households in Harrisburg.  It advertises our local businesses, and includes contact information for all of our Harrisburg businesses.  If you would like to have your business included, or featured, please contact meldridge@ci.harrisburg.or.us.  You can also visit the business ads page to find more information. Information is needed by the 15th of each month prior to the utility billing mailing.

We are working to establish an in-formal group of community members, which can include local professionals, business owners, city leaders and city staff.  We would like to discuss ways that we can increase traffic to our commercial and downtown areas, as well as to invite new retail businesses to come to Harrisburg.  This can include creating events (like car shows, Friday night date night events, (such as art shows) to increase traffic, or doing work to beautify the area.  (As an example, that can include painting fire hydrants & garbage cans, general paint and clean-up, etc.) Those of you who prefer to get hands-on into projects, rather than planning, will have your opportunity!

If you are interested in joining this group, would like to attend future meetings, or would like to be one of the volunteers who can get to work on hands-on projects, please contact Michele Eldridge by calling 541-995-2200.  You may also email meldridge@ci.harrisburg.or.us.

Be part of the Movement!   Join us as we work to build downtown Harrisburg into a vital, social hub of our community.