It is my great privilege to serve as Board President for Rethos in 2023. I am particularly grateful because we have changed our bylaws to extend the term from one year to two. That gives me more time to learn, to grow, and to lead. I am humbled by the faith my fellow volunteer leaders have placed in me. Who knew that when I first joined the organization as a volunteer over a decade ago that one day it would be my turn to serve in this way.
You will read in this issue of Places Reimagined that with your support, Rethos has accomplished much in 2022. We have added a whole new Heritage Tourism program featuring a return of Doors Open Minneapolis, a two-day city-wide celebration of the buildings, places, and people that make Minneapolis so special. It is so wonderful to work with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, AIA Minnesota, Comcast, and many other partners to bring back this tremendous event.
Your gifts, sponsorships, event attendance, and participation in the past year provided the resources and the energy needed to propel Rethos forward in 2022. We received the largest single investment in our history in the form of a $700,000 grant from the National Park Service in support of our “Looking Up” downtown building rehabilitation program. Rethos will re-grant up to $50,000 to owners of historic buildings located in the commercial corridors of participating rural Minnesota Main Street communities over the coming three years because of this generous Federal grant. This is just one example of how your ongoing investment in Rethos returns tangible benefits to our communities.
This year Rethos is working to expand its Historic Rehab Loan program from its current five-state reach to more than twenty states, each of which has its own state historic tax credit program. Our loans, combined with the Federal tax credit, can make an historic rehabilitation project financially viable, creating jobs, expanding small business opportunities, invigorating local economies, and saving historic buildings in smaller towns across the state.
Minnesota Main Streets is growing, too. Rethos is working to establish more participating communities, especially in Northern Minnesota. The statewide network of Main Street towns, along with the national network of Main Street America, will become an even more important resource for local leaders seeking to strengthen their business districts. Historic downtown buildings are leveraged to harness the energy and creativity of local entrepreneurs to create or expand small businesses, inspire local residents to activate downtown areas, and attract visitors.
We have new faces on the staff and on the board. We have moved into larger office and education space on the fifth floor of the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. We are working to improve our programs and reach more people.
It’s a good thing I have two years as president to get things done. I’ll be exhausted by this time in 2025, but I am confident that I will be proud of what we have done together.