Main Street Alabama and the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG) announce a new partnership utilizing the nationally known Main Street 4-Point Approach® in Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan counties.
The program focuses on organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. Main Street Alabama is the state coordinating program for downtown revitalization, while North Alabama Regional Council of Governments is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the citizens in Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan counties. With the generous support of NARCOG, the communities of Courtland, Eva, Falkville, Hanceville, Hartselle and Town Creek will become Downtown Network Communities of Main Street Alabama.
“We are particularly excited to be working directly with the first Regional Council of Governments in Alabama,” stated Mary Helmer, President and State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama. “Main Street programs have a catalytic effect on communities quality of life for both citizens and corporations. A vibrant downtown is critical to a communities business growth and retention plan. We are pleased to partner with NARCOG to achieve their mission.”
In addition to individual Main Street Alabama visits to each community, NARCOG will host two regional workshops annually, one in the spring and one in the fall. Main Street Alabama will provide training in the morning followed by a sharing of best practices from the states programs including Decatur, the only Designated Community in the NARCOG region.
The six new communities join Albertville, Arab, Atmore, Attalla, Butler, Cordova, Cullman, Daphne, Fayette, Foley, Gulf Shores, Grove Hill, Jackson, Leeds, Lincoln, Luverne, Prattville, Prichard, Russellville, Thomasville, Trussville, Tuskegee, Union Springs, and York in the Downtown Network. These communities are in the beginning stages of exploring a downtown redevelopment program using Main Street's comprehensive and incremental Four Point Approach ® focusing on Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality.
Since June 2014, Main Street Alabama’s Designated communities have reported 239 net new businesses, 2,392 net new jobs, $187,262,002 in private investment, $32,555,955 in public improvements, and 26,652 volunteer hours in their districts collectively.
Main Street Alabama will continue to add new Designated communities annually. To achieve Designated status, communities must first attend new city application workshops scheduled every January, and then complete an extensive application due in spring 2017. Until then, communities interested in downtown revitalization can participate in Main Street Alabama's Downtown Network.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetalabama.org
