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CALUMET - For Tom Tikkanen, receiving awards is a nice acknowledgment of the work done by members of Main Street Calumet, but the most recent acknowledgment the organization received could also mean a better chance of receiving state and private funding for downtown projects.

Tikkanen, who is executive director of Main Street Calumet, said on Dec. 22, the Michigan Main Street office in Lansing announced the local organization received the national master level accreditation.

In January, MSC received accreditation from the national Main Street organization, but it couldn't get the master level until now.

"Because of our length of time in the program, we're eligible for the master level," he said.

In order to be considered for the master level, Tikkanen said a Main Street program has to have been in existence for at least five years, and have a regular history of accreditation.

"The major issue is you have to retain your accreditation," he said.

With the higher accreditation, Tikkanen said MSC will now be reviewed by the state organization every two years rather than every year.

Of the other 10 Main Street programs in Michigan, Tikkanen said only Marshall received the master level accreditation, also.

The Michigan Main Street program is a part of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and according to the MSHDA Web site, "The MMS Program assists communities in developing their own local Main Street program by utilizing the Main Street 4-Point Approach a common-sense approach to tackling the complex issues of revitalization capitalizing on downtown's history, and identifying the unique assets of the community.

The MMS Program began in 2003 and is housed within the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). It is affiliated with the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and is in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Communities are designated through a competitive application process."

Tikkanen said having the master level accreditation will help downtown Calumet in many ways, including possibly attracting investment opportunities.

"(Investors) want to make sure a community has its ducks in a row," he said.

Tikkanen said the higher accreditation level is an indicator to possible investors of the seriousness of the local organization.

"It means you're organized and you're reaching your goals in a timely manner," he said.

With the higher accreditation, Tikkanen said state funding agencies will probably me more receptive to providing grants and loans for downtown improvement projects.

Tikkanen said working with the MMS office has been very helpful for the Calumet program.

"We receive a great deal of technical support from the Michigan Main Street program," he said.

To receive accreditation at any level, Tikkanen said a local organization has to achieve 10 criteria.

"If you don't get all 10 criteria, you don't get (accreditation)," he said.

Tikkanen said Main Street Calumet has been involved with many projects over the last four years, some of which have used government grants and loans, but there was $2.6 million in private investment over that period, also.

"(Investors) want to know this is an organization that's making progress and is a responsible and proactive organization," he said.

The Main Street Calumet year runs from June 1 to May 30, and Tikkanen said up to May 30 this year in downtown Calumet there was a net gain of nine new businesses, seven expanded businesses, 15 commercial buildings were sold and there was a net gain of 45 jobs.

"The numbers go up every year," he said. "The Main Street program works."

Tikkanen said he expects there will be more construction in downtown during the next construction season, but there will also be some work on a pilot Cultural Economic Development plan this winter. Calumet was chosen to be part of the CED because the arts are already fairly well developed with such features as the Calumet Theatre, a few large art galleries and many small art galleries. There is a perception that having a strong arts community creates a higher quality of life in a locality.

A survey of the community for the CED will be conducted by a researcher from Minneapolis who will be in Calumet for a three-day visit starting Feb. 23, Tikkanen said. The man conducting the survey, Tom Borrup, will also conduct a public meeting about the survey on Feb. 24 in the Calumet Township office at a time to be determined later.

"(The survey) will be an ongoing project this year," Tikkanen said.

Having the master level accreditation will be good for Main Street Calumet, but Tikkanen said members can't "rest on their laurels."

"A lot of work's been done," he said. "A lot of work remains."

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.