Who is best suited to participate in this course series?
This course is specifically designed for Main Street programs and professionals who are interested in increasing their capacity to engage in development projects involving historic commercial district properties. Please note there are no prerequisites, but the course necessitates the use of arithmetic and algebra. If you have concerns about brushing up on basic math skills, please email us.

How will the virtual version of the course differ from the in-person version?
The main difference will be that participants will not be physically visiting examples of projects in a host city. Examples of success that highlight course lessons will instead be included through the virtual format. While the virtual version of the course will reduce travel costs and allow participants to complete from the comfort of their own homes, the course content and level of course participation necessitated to complete the project within a week will be the same as the in-person version.

Is it better to take the virtual version or the in-person version?
Both versions of the certificate series will equip participants with a thorough knowledge of Historic Tax Credits, real estate finance, and development techniques to accomplish Main Street preservation and revitalization goals. Please note that participants must provide their own travel expenses to attend the in-person version, whereas that is not the case in this virtual version. For a look at the program’s in-person experience, read about the 2018-2019 Part 1 and Part 2 courses.

Will I be able to step away from or miss a session of the course? 
This is an intensive course, which concludes with a final exam, and a make-up day will not be available. The instructor will be available throughout the course for questions, but we recommend that participants do their best to minimize any outside distractions to the best of their ability while participating in this course in order to focus on the content as much as possible. 

If I participate in the first course, HRE 247, do I have to participate in the second, HRE 347?
In order to receive the Real Estate Development Finance Professional Certification participants must complete both Part 1 and Part 2 of the training series. After completing both Part 1 and Part 2, participants will receive a certification from NDC as a Real Estate Development Finance Professional, along with a plaque for display.  AICP members can earn Certification Maintenance (CM) credits for this activity. More information about AICP’s CM program can be found here. In some circumstances, participants choose not to complete HRE 347 or take the second course in a subsequent year. While we encourage participants to complete both courses within one year, there can be flexibility.

Will the course sessions be recorded and available later? 
No, the virtual course sessions will not be recorded by the National Development Council. Students will have the ability to “capture” what the instructor is presenting through the GoToTraining virtual learning platform, but students must initiate this feature themselves.

Will there be course assignments? 
Yes, there will be case studies and end-of-day assignments for each day of the course, concluding in an exam on Friday.

Can more than one person per Main Street program register for this course at the member rate? 
Yes, up to three people per Main Street organization may register for the course at the reduced rate for Main Street America members. Each person must register and participate in the course as an individual and the discount codes would apply per person taking the course.

Will these courses be offered again next year?
We hope to offer this certificate series in 2024, but we cannot be certain of any future course details at this time.