Main Street Alliance highlights grants, volunteer-driven projects and new executive director

Erin Salisbury, executive director of the St. Helens Main Street Alliance, presented the Alliance’s annual report to the council on July 15, saying the organization has shifted to paid staff leadership while continuing to rely on volunteer energy.

Salisbury told the council the Alliance has received $1,069,000 in Oregon Main Street revitalization grants in the St. Helens district since 2019, matched with about $852,000 in private local dollars. “That has been matched by an additional $852,000 local private dollars as part of the matching process,” she said, noting those investments raise assessed tax value inside the district and help urban renewal revenues.

The Alliance said it introduced an executive director role this year to provide continuity after several years of volunteer-led work; Salisbury said volunteers still drive most projects. “Everything you’ve heard from me this afternoon — the festival, these grants, the building work — that’s not staff work. It has nothing to do with an executive director. That’s citizens and owners stepping up for their own downtown,” she said.

Salisbury reviewed two recently completed revitalization grants (naming Holton Hollow as a 2025 award winner) and said St. Helens is the top cumulative recipient of Oregon Main Street revitalization funds statewide during the last six years. She described near-term programming, including a proposed return of the North of West Music Fest in April 2027 and a volunteer-run “Minis on Main” winter window-display project.

Councilors asked how grants are managed and whether the Alliance’s work overlaps with the city’s event contractor. Salisbury said grant applications are committee-driven but that grant administration frequently falls to the executive director: “We have a committee that works together to write the grants. But once it comes down, I carry the load.” She estimated volunteer counts in the hundreds and flagged sustainability concerns that motivated hiring paid staff.

Mayor and council members discussed the difference between one-off events and broader tourism infrastructure, with Salisbury urging coordination: “Tourism is also about ... infrastructure, assets, whether that’s public bathrooms or park beautification,” she said.

The Alliance noted recent awards and partnerships and said it will continue pursuing state and national networks for ideas and funding. Salisbury invited council questions and said more specifics on new programs will be brought forward as plans firm up.

The council did not take formal action on the report; councilors thanked Salisbury and noted the Alliance’s work will remain a partner to the city’s economic and events efforts.