MAIN STREET ALABAMA ANNOUNCES ASPIRING TIER, WITH RUSSELLVILLE AS THE PILOT

 

Main Street Alabama released a new tier of service that will be available for qualifying communities in 2023. Until then, Russellville (pop. 11,059) is the pilot for the program.

 

The new tier, Aspiring, is a one-year track intended to prepare communities for designation application while also building capacity, establishing organizational structure, and putting volunteers to work on short term projects. Requirements include employing a part-time director, attendance to Main Street Alabama trainings, and tracking the economic impact of the focus area.

 

Since becoming a Main Street Alabama Network community in 2016, downtown Russellville has seen improvements including updated streetscape, eight loft apartments, and a new five room boutique hotel. With the help of Main Street Alabama, Downtown Russellville wants to learn how to retain and strengthening existing businesses, encourage the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings, find best uses of available properties, and coordinate downtown activities.

 

Downtown Russellville and Main Street Alabama is hosting a community meeting at the Roxy Theatre, September 6 at 6 PM. At the meeting, participants will learn more about the Main Street Four Point Approachä, and can provide input on activities and projects for the downtown district. That feedback will guide the group in establishing short term goals for the organization.

 

Downtown Russellville is also seeking a part time director. The job description can be found on the Newsroom page on Main Street Alabama's website, www.mainstreetalabama.org. For more information, contact Julie McKinney at downtownrussellville@gmail.com.

 

Main Street Alabama is a private non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The National Main Street Four Point Approach™ is an over 40-year model that focuses work in four areas: organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome.