The Main Street Lorain Development Corp, DBA Lorain Growth was formed in 1996 and
incorporated as a 501c3 in 1998. Lorain Growth became a main street affiliate 2009, and is now
a member of Main Street America. The organization moved to an all-volunteer organization
saving the city $40,000.00 a year, which, in 2005-9, helped support the full-time director.
Today,
Lorain Growth has an all-volunteer Board and President. 95% of the grants, contributions and
donations raised by Lorain Growth go back into the community of Lorain. Five percent for the
funds support office rental, equipment and membership advertising located at the Ariel Hotel.
The organization was started to promote the downtown area of Lorain for Christmas.
The first
Winterfest was known as ‘Light Up Lorain!’. Today that same program is known as Lorain
Winterfest. This all-volunteer organization became the Lorain Growth MainStreet Development
Corporation (501c3).
Our Mission
Mobilizing resources to promote businesses and maintain a vibrant business district
THE ORGANIZATION
Lorain Growth is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distribution to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any federal code. The charitable purposes further include cooperating with and assisting and supporting municipal and government authorities in maintaining, preservation, promotion beautification and lessening of government burdens.
The area of interest is the area bordered on the South by 21st Street , on the West by the west side of Oberlin Avenue, on the North by the Lake Erie shoreline (including the Lorain Lighthouse and the dredge dike area), and of the East by— the east side of Colorado Avenue.
Any person, corporation, partnership, or estate having an interest in the objective of the organization is eligible to apply for membership.
Committees
• Cars and Coffee Car show every weekend during summer
• Roads and Rails Committee
• Lorain Winterfest
• Lorain Growth Tourism Council
• Caboose Committee
• Trees and Trains at Black River Landing
• Lorain Caboose (a 1970 Caboose that is owned by Lorain Growth and it is
being restored at Black River Landing as a Tourist attraction.)
• Cars on Broadway at 4th and Broadway
• Downtown Lorain Scrip Sign benefactor and responsible for its maintenance
and Landscaping. (Located at the foot of the Bascule Bridge).
These committees, formed under the Lorain Growth umbrella, have successfully worked to bring
back the economic change we see in the Lorain downtown today. Our investment in downtown
Lorain has reached nearly $100,000 in inventory of Holiday lights and decorations, and tourism
attractions such as the Caboose and Lorain sign. The leadership of Lorain had a vision, a passion
and a willingness to work together for Lorain. Lorain Growth, as part of that economic plan for
the past 27 years, has grown from ten volunteers to over 200 volunteers. Lorain Growth is not
required to hire staff, saving thousands of dollars. We have been involved or led many changes
and new developments in our Downtown Entertainment & Business district. Our programs bring
over 250,000 visitors to Downtown Lorain and the Black River Landing each year!
Our Core Values
Cooperation is the key to success
-- Ask all parties
-- Don't Guess
-- Research before giving
Our Board
Jim Long
President and Board Chairman
Darryl Tucker
Vice President
Morning Journal Managing Editor
Lee Rivera
Vice President / Treasurer
Dollar Bank
Laurel Bansek
Secretary
Lollie Pops Store
Nicara Garcia
Board Member
Northwest Savings Bank
Stephanie Wiersma
Board Member
Lorain County Health and Dentistry
Rebecca Wisniewski
Board Member
Horizon Activities Center