How We Help
We simplify the process and turn ideas into action.
RAD works with city leaders, downtown organizations, Main Street programs, and regional economic development partners who are tired of plans that don't move and ready for someone who's actually been in their position to help them figure out what to do next.
"Without his support and advice, I am not certain that our organization would be here today."
- Matt Collinsworth, Executive Director, Carbondale Main Street
Most of the communities RAD works with aren't short on effort or ideas. They lack a clear understanding of what to do first, who owns what, and how to make progress without burning out the people managing the work.
RAD has worked in more than 50 communities across the country, in city halls, Main Street offices, and board rooms. The services below reflect what those communities actually needed at the moment they were in and worked with the actual capacity they had to build momentum.
Not sure where to start? You're in the right place. Pick the situation below that sounds most like yours.
My organization needs help getting focused, structured, or recharged.
Downtown Momentum Reset
For towns and networks where work is happening but progress keeps hitting roadblocks. This working session helps teams find exactly where momentum is breaking down and leave with a clear, realistic 90-day plan they can actually follow.
Best for cities that are stuck, and statewide coordinating programs or local organizations where effort is high but results may vary.
Downtown Momentum Recharge
For organizations where the people doing the work are running on empty. This engagement addresses the structural reasons burnout happens: unclear board roles and responsibilities, workloads that don't match capacity, and leadership habits that make everything harder than it needs to be.
Best for Main Street directors stretched too thin, boards that need to recalibrate, and statewide programs working to reduce turnover across their network.
Downtown Momentum Advisory
For leaders who want a partner without adding staff. Directors and city staff gain direct access for strategic questions, decision support, and honest perspective on what's actually worth the time and energy.
Best for directors and municipal staff navigating ongoing complexity who want someone in their corner who already knows their situation.
My downtown needs help with buildings, small businesses, or becoming a destination.
Downtown Building Boost
For communities where vacant buildings dominate the conversation and nothing seems to move them. This short-term, focused engagement identifies 3-5 properties that can realistically advance, builds a clear path for each one, and leaves the city with a working development pipeline it can continue to manage.
Best for municipalities with TIF or BDD funding and vacancy that's become a visible, political problem.
Downtown Business Builders
For communities that want to support existing businesses and attract new ones but don't have a system that makes either of those things work consistently. This 60-90 day engagement maps the business ecosystem, makes time for valuable conversations with small business owners, finds the real gaps in the local market, and designs the support structure that makes growth, retention and attraction possible.
Best for municipalities or regional economic development partners ready to invest in what's already there before spending money recruiting what isn't.
Destination Downtown
For organizations that know their downtown has something worth promoting but hasn’t connected the right pieces. This helps communities identify their audience, clarify what will resonate, and align their marketing resources where they'll actually produce a return.
Best for downtown organizations, and municipal tourism offices ready to stop spreading their message thin and start making it stick.
One of the many strengths Erik brings to a community is his understanding of multiple sides and the people working to build it. He is great at meeting your organization where you are and maneuvering the intricacies that others would see as roadblocks.
- Donna Pepper, Executive Director, Paxton Main Street
About Erik
RAD is led by Erik Reader, a downtown revitalization professional with more than 15 years of hands-on experience working inside the realities of small towns.
Most recently, Erik served as Director of Illinois Main Street with Main Street America, leading a statewide network supporting downtowns through training, technical assistance, and program development. In that role, he worked directly with communities navigating stalled progress, leadership transitions, limited capacity, and rising expectations.
He’s been in most of the rooms you're in right now, which means he understand the politics, the board dynamics, the budget constraints, and the pressure to show progress. That experience is what RAD is built on.
Let's figure out what's actually getting in the way.
Erik W. Reader
President, Reader Area Development, Inc.
Email: erik@readerareadevelopment.com
Cell: (309) 620-4543