Main Street accredited nationally
Emporia program meets revitalization standards
By Brandy Nance
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
It’s been a good couple of weeks for Emporia Main Street.
Kayla Oney, of Emporia Main Street, announced another honor the organization received in addition to the two awards Main Street received last week through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Oney announced this week that Main Street has been designated an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.
Emporia Main Street now is one of 650 Main Street revitalization programs nationally recognized as the 2007 Accredited National Main Street programs.
“Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the accredited methodology and have built strong revitalization organizations,” Oney said.
Nationally accredited organizations must meet performance standards set forth by the National Trust Main Street Center, said Doug Loesher, director of the National Trust.
“Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success,” Loesher said.
In a press release, Oney said the National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with coordinating Main Street programs throughout the nation to identify local programs that meet that National Trust’s 10 basic performance standards. Organizations are evaluated on development of a mission statement, fostering strong public-private partnership, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress and preserving historic buildings.
Emporia Main Street’s progress was evaluated by Kansas Main Street.
“One of the most exciting things happening in downtown Emporia was the creating of the entrepreneur class,” said Jeanne Stinson, state coordinator of the Kansas Main Street program. “This class not only helped existing businesses, but helped identify individuals that were interested in starting a new business in downtown. The information the class provided and the creation of the Trusler Loan Program for downtown is a winning combination that will certainty help strengthen Emporia’s downtown district.”