Following the success of the Orlando Main Street and Market Street Programs, the City seeks to use the Main Street model to strengthen our burgeoning tech industry. If approved, the City will provide funding to Orlando Tech, Inc. through the E-Street Program.

Orlando Tech, Inc. will participate in the E-Street Program as a virtual community district with the objective to make Orlando a city where tech companies choose to locate and the digital workforce thrives. Orlando Tech will use the Main Street approach to connect, promote and foster the growth of tech companies in the Orlando area.

The Main Street approach gradually builds on existing resources and fosters improved community leadership and support on behalf of the business district for the long term. The districts are also required to have a full-time manager.

Main Street is a national program that assists business districts with developing the necessary market niche and creating a cohesive visual identity unique to the district. The Orlando Main Street Program was implemented in 2007 as a five-year initiative to revitalize Orlando's neighborhood business districts. After the program was implemented, it was expanded to include a commercial corridor that did not meet the national program criteria as a Market Street. E-Street is modeled after the existing Market Street agreement.

To date, the Orlando City Council has approved seven Main Street Districts and one Market Street District: College Park Partnership, Ivanhoe Village, Audubon Park Garden District, Downtown South, Mills 50, Church Street District, Gateway Orlando (f/k/a Semoran Business Partnership) and the Thornton Park District. This year we are seeking approval to add the City’s first E-Street to the program, Orlando Tech, Inc.

The Orlando Main Street Program requires that an annual agreement be approved by City Council for each Main Street, Market Street or E-Street District. Under the Orlando Main Street Program, the City provides annual funding, and the Districts are required to raise matching funds. The funding and required match per district is as follows:

Year 1-$50,000 -City of Orlando and $10,000-District
Year 2-$45,000 -City of Orlando and $15,000-District
Year 3-$40,000 -City of Orlando and $20,000-District
Year 4-$35,000 -City of Orlando and $25,000-District
Year 5-$30,000 -City of Orlando and $30,000-District