A campaign to turn downtowns into the economic engines they once were has reached another 7 locales in southwest Alabama. The communities of Atmore, Brewton, Butler, Evergreen, Grove Hill, Jackson and Thomasville recently joined the community revitalization program Main Street Alabama.

The economic development program is partnering with the Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance, a regional partnership between Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe counties as well as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  

"We are particularly excited about our growth in the Coastal Gateway region," Mary Helmer, president and state coordinator of Main Street Alabama, said in a news release. "Main Street programs have a catalytic effect and the establishment of Monroeville's designated program just nine months ago has yielded tremendous interest from these surrounding communities."

Each community was able to join because of a donation from Alabama Power. The cost of a services ranges from $125 up to $5,000, according to the organization's website.

In addition to individual Main Street Alabama visits to each community, Coastal Gateway will also host two workshops annually, one in the spring and one in the fall. Main Street Alabama will provide training, sharing of best practices adopted by Monroeville, as the first designated Main Street community in the region, and then by each of the seven communities affiliated with the program.

Helmer said she anticipates the example may prompt other communities to join.

"The leadership of the Coastal Gateway Economic Development Alliance recognized the opportunity to grow revitalization programs in the area, coordinated the community efforts and secured funding to make this regional program a reality," she said. "We anticipate the leadership from this organization will be emulated to grow other regional programs."

Main Street Alabama started in 2009, but its origins in the state date back to the 1980s when a similar program was run by the Alabama Historical Commission. The program ceased operations in 2003 due to budget cuts until it was restarted years later.   

"Coastal Gateway believes that the courthouse squares and downtowns are the hearts and souls of our communities," said John Johnson, executive director of Coastal Gateway Economic Development Alliance. "And we believe that Main Street Alabama is a tremendous resource for revitalization."

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