Main Street Alabama, a non-profit organization that uses a national model with a 30-year track record of success, selected the towns through a competitive application process.
According to Mary Helmer, State Coordinator for the program, Main Street Alabama will immediately begin providing each town with intensive board development, goal setting, work planning, market study with implementable economic development strategies, targeted technical assistance, and quarterly training related to downtown development. “When a community is ready for Main Street, as these three are, the time tested Four Point Approach ® works,” Helmer said. “It brings jobs, dollars and people back to historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.”
Helmer added that the interview panel was impressed by the presentations each made that demonstrated a love of their downtowns, a vision for what they could be, and the drive to make it happen. She noted that Japer demonstrated strong community partnerships, an impressive organizational structure with exceptional leadership, and ability to financially support its program, which made them stand out in the field of applicants.
Jasper, along with Elba and Fort Payne, join Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Eufaula, Florence, Gadsden, Monroeville, Opelika, Oxford and Selma in using Main Street's comprehensive and incremental Four Point Approach focusing on Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring. Since the state wide coordinating program re-launch in 2014, Main Street Alabama’s Designated communities have reported $45,725,314 in private investments to downtown buildings, $934,499 in public improvements, 101 new and expanding businesses, 370 new jobs, and 10,262 volunteer hours.
Main Street Alabama will continue to bring on new communities all across the state annually. New city application workshops are held each January with applications due in early May. Communities may become involved with Main Street Alabama at any time utilizing the Downtown Network program to support those interested in the revitalization process.
Main Street Alabama focuses on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities and neighborhood commercial districts. Economic development is at the heart of our revitalization efforts.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetalabama.org
