Sandusky Main Street Association is a local, not-for-profit organization that provides leadership, education and advocacy to save our downtown’s diverse historic places as well as promote economic development initiatives.
Historic preservation and downtown revitalization enrich our quality of life, enhance our neighborhoods and revitalize communities as better places in which to live, work, celebrate and visit.
Historically operating mainly as a downtown "merchant organization", the organization evolved in 2001 into the Sandusky Main Street Association by adopting the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s four-point approach. In 2002, we applied for official “Ohio Main Street Program” status; we received that designation in early 2003 and by January 2005 we received the distinguished title of “National Main Street Community”
Much has been accomplished by following the four-point approach (organization, design, economic restructuring, and promotion). Accomplishments in those areas toward the revitalization of our downtown include:
• Creator "Party at the Plaza Summer Concert Series” to increase activity downtown
• Creator & Co-sponsor of the highly successful Duck Derby Fundraiser with United Way
• Co-sponsor, Ohio Bicentennial Tall Ships Festival
• Billboard program promoting downtown tourism
• Cable TV advertising program
• Creation of a Branding Campaign to include a new logo, brochure, and web site
• Official Main Street designation by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Achieved 501(c)(3) status
• Partner, North Coast Thunder Rally / Ohio Bike Week
• Annual membership increases of 15%
• Sponsored Downtown Main Street Trolley Program
• Quarterly newsletters
• Sponsor, downtown street light banner program
• Operators of the highly successful Sandusky Farmers Market Saturdays A.M.
• Facilitated fundraiser for new Farmers Market signage, and lot resurfacing
• Downtown flower planters and hanging baskets
• Sponsored, annual downtown garage sale
• Co-sponsor, Oktoberfest
• Sponsor, Adopt-a-Window to dress up vacant building storefronts
• Historical marker program to promote local history to visitors and residents
The SMSA is governed by a Board of Trustees which includes officers and committee chairs. All are volunteers (with the 
exception of the Program Manager who serves on the Board in an ex-officio status). Board of Trustees meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 8:00 a.m. General membership meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month and are open to members of the public.
Join the Sandusky Main Street Association! Just complete our online membership application form or click here for a downloadable printable version of the form (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).