Bobby Ryder, who said he recently accepted the position as executive director of the Downtown Pullman Association, told the Pullman City Council on Jan. 14 that Pullman has been designated a Main Street city and that status creates new fundraising opportunities for downtown revitalization.

Ryder said the designation allows businesses to designate where their business-and-occupation (B&O) taxes go and that participating businesses ‘‘receive a 75% tax credit the following year.’’ He described current fundraising efforts aimed at facade improvements and promotions, including a partnership with the Cougs First campaign and outreach through the Pullman Civic Trust.

Why it matters: Main Street designation is a common local economic-development tool that communities use to channel small revenue streams and private donations into coordinated downtown improvements. Ryder and the Downtown Pullman Association framed the designation as a way to recycle locally raised funds back into downtown commercial properties and events.

Ryder described three near-term efforts: (1) encouraging businesses to enroll in the B&O designation program to funnel support to the Downtown Pullman Association; (2) fundraising for façade improvements; and (3) promotion partnerships, including the Cougs First campaign and a membership mailing by the Pullman Civic Trust.

Ryder concluded by saying he will provide the council with more updates as the programs advance.