About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Cle Elum Downtown Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3), is to Preserve, Promote and Enhance Cle Elum’s Historic Downtown, and to create partnerships that stimulate economic activity and action for renewed sense of pride and community.

Strategic Plan for Cle Elum is focused on revitalizing downtown in a way that balances historical preservation with modern family-friendly development. The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a great framework to follow, as it encompasses the following areas: Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Restructuring. These elements can be used to guide your efforts in creating a sustainable and attractive downtown that celebrates the town’s heritage while offering opportunities for growth.

Here’s how you might approach each of the Four Points:

1. Design:
   • Historical Preservation: Maintain and restore key historical landmarks, including the historical monument, to preserve the unique character of downtown.
   • Family-Friendly Spaces: Create parks, play areas, and open spaces where families can gather and enjoy the outdoors. Incorporating these into the downtown’s design will enhance its appeal to all generations.
   • Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure: Ensure that streets and sidewalks are well-maintained and safe, encouraging families to walk and explore the area.
2. Organization:
   • Partnerships: Build partnerships with local businesses, historical societies, agricultural organizations, and tourism boards to ensure broad community engagement and support.
   • Community Involvement: Engage local residents in preserving the town’s history and values, through events like local history tours, volunteer opportunities for maintaining historical sites, or educational programs.
3. Promotion:
   • Tourism: Develop a marketing campaign that highlights Cle Elum’s rich history, monuments, and agricultural roots. Consider events such as heritage festivals, farmers’ markets, or historical walking tours.
   • Branding: Position Cle Elum as a destination that connects families to the past while embracing modern growth, with messaging that appeals to visitors of all ages.
4. Economic Restructuring:
   • Support Local Businesses: Encourage entrepreneurship by creating incentives for businesses that focus on tourism, history, and agriculture, as well as family-oriented services.
   • Diversify Business Types: Develop a business mix that caters to families, such as cafes, family-oriented shops, historical education centers, and agriculture-related businesses.
   • Attract Investment: Create incentives for both historic preservation and new business development, which will ensure that downtown remains a dynamic hub.

By focusing on preserving the area’s historical charm and creating spaces where families can connect with that history, you’ll help both the community and visitors understand the values that make Cle Elum unique.

Our Values

Remain Connected to this Place – ensure that residents are connected to the downtown as the heart of their community, feel connected to each other, connected to the unique history and landscape.

A Family Friendly Small Town – ensure that we are highlighting existing culture and work towards increased safety and opportunities for families and youth.

Our History – continue to celebrate our downtown’s past and connect building owners and city with historic preservation resources.

Homegrown Businesses – support the culture of entrepreneurship, small businesses and keep jobs here.

Engaged Business and Building Owners – Show value of investing in downtown and in the Cle Elum Downtown Association. Seeking creative opportunities for businesses and owners to be engaged in the Cle Elum Downtown Association.