Tanya Maloney will assume the role of Field Services Specialist on February 15 with Main Street Alabama, a statewide non-profit and state coordinating program of Main Street America.

As Field Services Specialist, Maloney will coordinate and provide technical services to improve revitalization outcomes for the growing number of Main Street Alabama communities which currently consists of 28 designated programs and 22 network members. 

 

“Tanya brings a wealth of experience to Main Street Alabama, particularly in the areas of Economic Development and Advocacy.  We are excited to have her join our team and know she will hit the ground running!” said Mary Helmer Wirth, Main Street Alabama President and State Coordinator.

 

For the last five years, Maloney served as Economic Developer for both the City of Heflin and Cleburne County.  In June 2016, she was also named the Executive Director of Heflin Main Street after the City was selected as a Main Street Alabama designated community.   During her tenure, the downtown district had 6 net new businesses open, creating 33 new jobs, private investment of over $17.1 million, public investment of nearly $77,000, and over 3000 volunteer hours.  The county, under her direction, also reported an additional $23 million in private investment and the creation of over 270 jobs. One such project was the rehabilitation of the former Cleburne County High School to Carillon Oaks Assisted Living, the first project in the country to utilize New Market Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, and Opportunity Zone funding. 

 

Main Street follows The National Main Street Four Point Approach™, an over 40-year model for district revitalization that focuses work in four areas: organization, design, promotion and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome. 

 

Maloney expressed that the Main Street model works in communities of all sizes even those rural communities like Heflin, pop. 3,480.  “In 5 years, we saw not only staggering private investments in our downtown but a reinvigoration of community pride.  I look forward to taking my experience on the road and helping others write their Main Street success story.”   

 

Maloney is a University of Georgia graduate with a political science degree and currently serves on a number of boards including; East Alabama Works, Workforce Innovation and Improvement Act Regional Board, and Economic Development Association of Alabama.

 

She continues to live in Heflin with her husband, T.J. and children Maisie (8), Hazel (6), and Etta (1).