Main Street Wooster, Inc. was incorporated in June, 1985. Implementation of the program began in January, 1987. The process was developed by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Main Street process is based on four tenets:

Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among public and private groups and individuals, and identifying sources of funding for revitalization activities.

Design: Enhancing the commercial district's physical appearance a through building rehabilitation, compatible new construction, public improvements, and design management systems.

Promotion: Marketing the commercial district through events and advertising to attract customers, potential investors, new businesses, residents, and visitors.

Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's economic base and creating new opportunities through careful analysis and appropriate mixed-use development. Main Street Wooster, Inc. works with an incremental process which has resulted in approximately $50 million of public and private reinvestment, the interior and exterior rehabilitation of 87 buildings, a net gain of 57 new businesses, and the retention and expansion of 36 businesses with less than 6% vacancy in its downtown street storefronts.

Main Street Wooster, Inc. is a non-profit organization, a 501(C)3, the funding of which is contributed on a 3-year pledge basis. The Board of Trustees, which represents the community and downtown Wooster, deales with issues that directly affect the downtown commercial core and its goal to remain economically viable.