Craig's Story
Craig Scharton is an experienced entrepreneur and community builder with a passion for revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods, and helping locally-owned businesses. He accomplishes his goals by connecting and networking people, businesses, organizations, and resources.
He has over 36 years of experience as a business consultant, trainer, policy maker, nonprofit executive, landmark property owner, restaurateur, professor, municipal department director.
Craig has also been involved in a wide range of initiatives aimed at driving economic growth and improving quality of life in the communities where he has worked.
Training and Educating
- Trainer, High Performing Teams Training
- Adjunct Professor of Urban Entrepreneurship, Fresno State University
- Adjunct Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Fresno State University
- Fresno Downtown Academy, International Association Award
DOWNTOWN AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION
Taking cities to new heights
Craig was the executive director of three cities that became certified Main Street communities, and has worked with a variety of downtown and neighborhood revitalization efforts. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in overseeing the renovation of Fresno’s Fulton Mall, a $22 million project that transformed a struggling retail area into a pedestrian-friendly destination, resulting in 15x growth in sales.
Making visionary ideas exciting and engaging
Craig is a sought-after speaker with national experience. He has been a professional blogger and podcaster, and has presented on a variety of topics related to entrepreneurship, community development, and economic revitalization. Through his work, he is committed to making a positive impact in every community he touches.
Whether he’s collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs, mentoring young leaders, or advocating for policy changes, he is always striving to create a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient future.
Craig is a proud father to his son Cole Scharton and daughter-in-law Amanda, and a grandfather to his three grandchildren Clark, Emmett, and Violet. He enjoys spending time with his family and is an active grandpa. Craig was born and raised in Fresno, CA. Craig and his son’s family moved to Greenville, SC in June 2022. As a lifelong student of cities and is enjoying exploring his new home in Upstate SC.
Craig’s History of Accomplishments
Past Projects
Fulton Mall Renovation
As Director of Downtown and Community Revitalization for the City of Fresno, Craig and his Downtown Revitalization Manager Elliott Balch oversaw the renovation of the Fulton Mall (the second oldest pedestrian mall in the United States). This $22 million project took eight years. The result has been a 22x increase in sales for the district.
Fresno Food Expo
Along with his Economic Development Manager Amy Fuentes, Craig used his experience in event and festival planning to create the Fresno Food Expo by using Michael Porter’s Industry Cluster model to bring together local food manufacturers and growers. Buyers from around the globe were invited to attend. Local food businesses were able to sell their products and make new connections.
1st Wednesday Street Party
This recurring monthly event showcases downtown businesses in Pleasanton, CA that focused on bringing locals into their downtown. As a direct result, downtown businesses received an overall monthly boost in revenue.
Thursday Night Market Place
Downtown Hanford, CA needed additional nighttime businesses. How do you attract these businesses when downtown is empty after 5PM? Craig and Main Street hanford created an event that brought people downtown by the thousands. Every Thursday night existing businesses saw a huge boost in revenue and new businesses started opening. The event is now in its 22nd year.
Water & Energy Technology Incubator
Craig and his team opened the Water and Energy Technology Incubator. In its first year, the facility was visited by delegations from 22 countries. The WET incubator was also featured in Europe’s largest convention for green and sustainable businesses.
Central Valley Stock Exchange
This CVSE was a fundraising event that also fulfilled the mission of the business incubator. Patrons received play money. Startup businesses tried to get investments from the attendees. Startups received valuable prizes for garnering the most “investment.” Community leaders learned about exciting startups.
Downtown/Neighborhood land use planning
Craig has had the opportunity to work on a variety of development plans, form-based codes, land use plans, neighborhood conservation plans and redevelopment plans. He also had the opportunity to work alongside leading planning teams like The Ratkovich Company; Wallace, Roberts and Todd (WRT); Ehrenkrantz and Eckstut; and Moule & Polyzoides.
Underserved Neighborhoods
Craig and his Neighborhood Revitalization Division Manager, Elaine Robles McGraw, worked in the neighborhoods of concentrated poverty in Fresno, CA. This work coordinated form based codes, code enforcement, community meetings, multiple city departments, and other community organizations. The “Lowell Model of Neighborhood Revitalization” was highlighted by H.U.D. as a best practice.
Business Development
Better than any visual
Craig has worked with hundreds of retailers/restaurants through his revitalization work, he has worked with hundreds of manufacturers through his work with California’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and hundreds of start-up businesses through the two business incubators that he opened and operated.
Communication
- National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Conference, Speaker/Panelist
- United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), National Conference, Speaker
- California Preservation Foundation, State Preservation Conference, Speaker
- California Downtown Association, Annual State Conference, Speaker
- California Assembly of Local Arts Agencies, Annual State Conference, Speaker
- FresYes.com Blogger
- Two Guys Talkin’ Fresno, Podcast Co-Host
Current Affiliations
Rize Prevention
Board Chair
Rotary Club of Greenville City Center
Member
GBN of Greenville Networking Success
Incoming Membership Chairman
Past Affiliations
President, California Main Street
Affordable Housing Chairman, Union Bank (California, Oregon, Washington)
Board Chair, Fresno Housing Authority
Board Member, Fresno Audubon Society
Historic Warnors Theater, Executive Board
Board Member, Jane Addams Community Development Corporation
Adjunct Professor, CSU, Fresno, Urban Entrepreneurship
Created/Led, Fresno Downtown Academy (Received the International Downtown Association Award, 2016)
Board Member/Chair, Fresno City Housing Authority
Board Member, Central Valley Chapter, California Restaurant Association
Board Member, Fresno Community Development Financial Institution
Coleman Foundation Fellow
Mayor’s Creative Economy Council
Federal Grant Reviewer-Health and Human Services
Past President Fresno Downtown Association, 1995/1996
We look forward to scheduling a meeting with you! To make it convenient to schedule an appointment, you can choose one of the following:
Call (864) 334-6057
Email: craig@newrevenuecoach.com
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a Discovery Call online!
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