“Main Street has been used to describe everything from our nostalgic past to our current economic woes, but when we talk about Main Street Elba, we are thinking of a real place, our home, doing real work to revitalize our community and to preserve its character,” said Sandy Bynum, executive director of the Elba Chamber of Commere. “Specifically, Main Street is three things: a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field.”
According to Mary Helmer, state coordinator for the program, Main Street Alabama will immediately begin providing Elba, Fort Payne and Jasper with intensive board development, goal setting, work planning, market study to implement 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.”
According to Bynum, economic development is at the heart of this statewide organization’s efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods.
“Main Street Alabama is focused on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities,” Bynum said. “What the designation actually means for Elba is that the Main Street Alabama program — an arm of the National Trust for Historic Preservation — will partner with us.”
Helmer added that the interview panel was impressed by the presentations each community 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 it was Elba’s committed leadership, established community partnerships, demonstrated support, as well as their overall understanding of the Main Street Four Point Approach, which made them stand out in the field of applicants.
Approximately 20 cities from throughout the state applied this year to become designated Main Street communities, but only three are chosen each year.
“Elba possesses rich history and character that the world needs to see,” said Bynum.
The three new communities 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.
“It takes a village to become designated a Main Street program,” Bynum said. “There are a number of requirements that had to be met, including strict requirements. Above all, the committee was looking at towns that are not only deeply rooted in history, but are also on the move into the future with progressive programs to bolster the local economy.”
This designation includes eligibility for all benefits and grant dollars available.
Bynum said technical assistance for new Main Street communities during the first 3 years includes:
• Full-day on-site media event and visit to kick-off the newly designated program, familiarize Main Street Alabama staff with local community issues, and provide organizational assistance.
• Assistance developing and structuring the Board, including the 4-Point committees.
• On-site 3- or 4-day Resource Team visit to include (1) public visioning; (2) strategic interviews with City officials, historic preservationists, economic development representatives, business owners, property owners, arts/cultural interests, consumers, and residents; (3) review of data on codes, zoning, history of the community, and the market; (4) public presentation with initial findings, downtown vision, and recommendations.
• Strategic Planning Guide developed by the Resource Team, including recommendations in each of the four points to support the Main Street program in the first 3 to 5 years.
• Once the Executive Director is hired and committees are in place, conduct full-day training, including work plan and goals, for the Board’s 4-Point committees, the ED, and interested community members and volunteers • Electronic general design guidelines
• Market Analysis and economic development strategies specific to the designated community, including consumer and business surveys
• Annual assessment of program success, including monthly reporting and follow-up on committee progress in relation to Mission and Vision statements and work plans, providing assistance if needed.
At the 4+ years mark, the technical assistance continues with training; educational resources – access to Main Street Alabama resource library and receive regular email communications from Main Street Alabama to keep up-to-date with what is up in the downtown redevelopment field; and special events and networking.
“Finally, this designation for Elba means we have a national entity to turn to when looking for project funding and other resources,” said Bynum. “This is a very exciting opportunity for Elba and we look forward to the future!”
A celebration for Elba being selected by Main Street Alabama will be held soon, and all citizens will be invited to attend.
According to Helmer, 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.
For more information, visit www.mainstreetalabama.org
