Main Street receives accreditation
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Emporia Main Street
Receives 2009 National Trust Main Street Accreditation
Emporia, Kansas- April 28, 2009- Emporia Main Street has been designated an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.
"We congratulate this year's nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards," says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. "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."
The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust's 10 basic performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program's application of the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National Program accreditation program, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.
The organizations performance was evaluated by Kansas Main Street, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Kansas.
"Emporia Main Street is honored to receive national accreditation for 2009," says Casey Woods, executive director of Emporia Main Street. "Emporia Main Street continues to work hard to improve existing businesses, recruit new entrepreneurs and enhance the aesthetics and economic viability of Emporia. Through hard work, and a dedicated group of committed volunteers, Emporia Main Street has generated almost fifty million dollars worth of reinvestment since the inception of the program. For each public dollar dedicated to Emporia Main Street, we have generated an additional thirty three dollars in outside investment, which points to the tremendous positive impact Emporia Main Street has on our local economy." Rob Gilligan, vice president of Emporia Main Street added, "Our Main Street organization stayed informed of fluctuating economic issues during the past year and gave our members access to national experts and asymmetrical marketing activities that mitigated the effects of an economic downturn for many members. Emporia Main Street remains committed to creating a stronger sustainable local economy that is poised to capitalize on the inevitable economic upswing."
Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history- and the important moments of everyday life- took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.
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bharz (anonymous) says...
Way to go, Main Street, keep up the great work!
April 28, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )