A vital downtown retains and creates jobs, which also means a stronger tax base. Long-term revitalization establishes capable businesses that use public services and provide tax revenues for the community.

Downtown is a good incubator of new businesses - the building blocks of a healthy economy. Strip centers and malls are often too expensive for new entrepeneurs.

A healthy downtown care can increase and protect property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

The traditional commercial district (downtown) is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn: keep profit in town, support local families with family owned businesses, support local community projects, provide a stable economic foundation, as opposed to a few larger businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community.

A revitalized downtown increases the community's options for goods and services (food, clothing, professional services, housing, and entertainment).

Downtown provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Special events and celebrations held downtown help reinforce an intangible sense of community. 

Downtown becomes a tourist attraction by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selection of unique businesses and events.