Earlier this month, Bloomfield Main Street welcomed Joi Austin and Amy Miller from Main Street America for our accreditation visit. This day-long process gave us the chance to showcase our progress, highlight the partnerships that keep our district thriving, and hear valuable feedback on how we can continue to grow.
We hosted the visit at By the Hearth Bookstore and Coffee House, where our board members, business owners, city and county partners, and volunteers gathered. The cozy setting was the perfect backdrop for a day full of conversation, reflection, and inspiration.
A Morning of Conversations
We began by sharing the heart of our work: how Bloomfield Main Street operates, the partnerships that strengthen us, and the goals we are working toward. Joi and Amy asked thoughtful questions, and we were proud to highlight successes like our 87,000+ volunteer hours, $18 million in private investment, and over 300 completed building projects.
They were impressed by the strong understanding our volunteers and partners have of both the mission and vision of our program:
Bloomfield Main Street envisions and works towards a prosperous Main Street district that reflects our historic character, offers a variety of goods and services in a unique shopping atmosphere, and generates social, arts, and recreational activities. The district will be recognized as the hub of vitality in Davis County, a vibrant place to work, live, and play, and an inviting destination for everyone.
Walking Main Street Together
No visit would be complete without walking our downtown! Joi and Amy toured our district, seeing firsthand the projects we’ve completed and the places where opportunity lies. They admired the progress we’ve made through façade improvements, beautification projects, and events that bring people together.
They also encouraged us to think creatively about challenges—like how to reimagine one of our larger vacant buildings by dividing it into multiple business spaces, making room for entrepreneurs and new shops to flourish.
Afternoon Insights and Ideas
After the tour, we dove into deeper conversations. Joi and Amy celebrated the way we:
- Build partnerships across city, county, and community groups.
- Run events that spark energy, from the Farmers Market to Fall Festival.
- Engage young people through our high school volunteer pipeline.
They also left us with thoughtful challenges:
- Set measurable goals for our committees so progress can be tracked more clearly.
- Keep young volunteers connected after graduation to build long-term community leaders.
- Tell our story in new ways, like launching a YouTube channel for our Community Connections show or to showcase local businesses, events, and projects.
What This Means for Bloomfield
At the end of the day, we were thrilled to hear that Bloomfield Main Street earned green marks across all the standards reviewed. This means we are not only meeting expectations but excelling in the way our program is structured and how our community understands the mission of Main Street.
Hearing Joi and Amy’s encouragement reminded us that revitalization is not a checklist—it’s a journey of people coming together. Their ideas will help guide our next steps as we continue to make downtown Bloomfield a place to live, work, shop, and gather.
Looking Forward
As we move ahead, Bloomfield Main Street will continue focusing on our transformation strategies:
- Placemaking – creating inviting, people-centered spaces.
- Tourism – building Bloomfield as a destination.
- Knowledge Economy – supporting growth through innovation and education.
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s next. Thank you to everyone who joined us during the visit and to the many community members who live out the Main Street mission every day. Together, we are shaping Our Home, Our Main Street, Our Future.
