The DeKalb County city, along with Elba and Jasper, were recently selected as Designated Main Street communities. Main Street Alabama, a statewide effort, uses the Four Point Approach to strengthen downtowns through organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.

Mary Helmer, the nonprofit program's state coordinator, said each town will receive board development, goal setting, work planning, technical assistance, quarterly training, and a market study with strategies for continued growth.

"When a community is ready for Main Street, as these three are, the time-tested Four Point Approach works," she said.

Main Street Alabama has worked in several communities, including Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Eufaula, Florence, Gadsden, Monroeville, Opelika, Oxford and Selma. Municipalities can get involved by participating in new city application workshops each January and submitting an application in early May.

Fort Payne and the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority said the city has also been accepted into the Valley Sustainable Communities Program, a initiative sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority and managed by Boyette Strategic Advisors.

The goal of the program is to make Fort Payne more attractive to new and expanding businesses.

"This new program provides us with the opportunity to document, further develop and be recognized for our sustainable initiatives, which will help differentiate us in the tough competition for new corporate investment and job creation," said Jimmy Durham, executive director of DCEDA.

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