December 11, 2015 For Immediate Release
Contact: Marylon Barkan: 205.516.4506
Main Street Alabama announces Patricia Black
joining staff as Field Services Specialist
Birmingham- Main Street Alabama is pleased to announce Patricia “Trisha” Black as the new Field Services Specialist. Trisha will bring seven years of Main Street experience as the Spirit of Athens Executive Director to twenty-four Main Street Alabama Downtown Network Communities. These communities have each elected to begin a downtown revitalization program and are in the beginning phase of the process. Main Street communities follow the Four Point Approach®, a national model with a 35 year proven record. The approach focuses on Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Vitality simultaneously to revitalize historic commercial districts.
“We are excited to fill this position to further develop services to our Downtown Network Communities,” stated Mary Helmer, President and State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama. “Black was selected for this position because of her strength in the Organization Point of the Main Street Four Point Approach®. Her success building a program in Athens, Alabama from the start up phase to one of the most dynamic programs in the state is a true testament to her understanding of the Main Street philosophy.”
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Last year, under Black’s leadership, Spirit of Athens became an accredited Main Street program by the National Main Street Center. She has long been regarded as an excellent consensus builder, a skill that is crucial to the organization of a successful community-based organization and has recently been recognized with accolades including Mover and Shaker in Limestone County by Business Alabama and Recipient of 2014 Main Street Alabama Leadership Award. In addition, she frequently works with other Main Street communities and speaks at tourism conferences in Mississippi and Alabama. Her leadership and communications skills coupled with her knowledge and implementation strategies of the Four Point Approach® uniquely suit her to work effectively in the Downtown Network tier.
Main Street Alabama is the state coordinating program for downtown revitalization that works in sixteen Designated Communities: Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Elba, Eufaula, Gadsden, Florence, Fort Payne, Jasper, Monroeville, Opelika, Oxford and Selma. Since 2014, these communities have logged 170 net new businesses, 2,218 net new jobs, $108,218,486 in private investment and 19,472 volunteer hours. The organization adds three new Designated Communities each year. Communities interested in beginning the program are encouraged to joining the Downtown Network.
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