Gaylord has been selected to participate in the Michigan Main Street program's Select Level, a designation that will provide the Northern Michigan city five years of intensive technical assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation focused on downtown revitalization.
The program builds on existing downtown infrastructure to foster local economic development. Communities participating are empowered to guide revitalization efforts, support small businesses, attract new customers to commercial districts and strengthen community identity.
Gaylord joins 23 other Michigan communities already participating in the Main Street program. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the designation, noting that the state's investments in downtown revitalization are helping build "more vibrant communities and bustling main streets where people want to live, work, and raise their families."
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Main Street communities generated more than $9.1 million in private investment over the past year and added 93 new businesses and 83 façade improvements. Since the program's inception in 2003, it has helped launch 2,126 businesses statewide, supported by more than $165 million in public investment and $482 million in private investment.
Volunteers contributed 29,220 hours in 2025 to downtown and commercial district revitalization efforts across Michigan.