The Committee on Economic and Workforce Development voted Nov. 10 to continue the Revitalize SA corridor leadership program and to execute a Main Street America contract for $245,000 to support leadership training, technical assistance, and small implementation grants.

Staff described the program as a nine‑month leadership initiative launched two years ago using ARPA funds that has supported cohorts of community leaders who identify and mobilize resources for commercial corridors. Staff said the program has had 32 participants over two years, with 22 moving forward on projects and representation across corridors containing about 3,000 businesses. The current proposal scales the effort with a smaller city budget of $600,000 for the year and includes two $5,000 implementation grants for participants aligned with Main Street America activities.

Councilmembers highlighted the Quintana corridor as an example of community‑driven work that combined façade improvements, beautification and economic activation. Members asked staff for baseline and longitudinal data to track impacts such as property values, business survival and crime reduction; staff said they have surveys that measure 6‑ to 18‑month impacts and can provide additional data, though they noted longer time frames are needed to see durable outcomes.

A motion to approve the program changes and the contract with Main Street America for $245,000 was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote. The transcript records the chair asking for in‑favor responses and saying the motion passes; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Committee members also asked about marketing and outreach funding ($5,000 subsidies for promotion) and how staff will encourage more business participation; staff said the marketing dollars target individuals and leaders who will then engage their corridors and that councilmembers’ communications with neighborhood associations have been an important recruitment channel.

Motion and outcome (as recorded in the meeting transcript): voice vote; motion approved.