Embargo until March 31, 2008 Contact: Bedford Main Street, Inc.
Linda
Exley 540-586-2148
BEDFORD MAIN STREET, INC.
RECEIVES 2008 NATIONAL MAIN STREET PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
Bedford, Virginia (March 7, 2008) – Bedford Main Street, Inc. has been accredited
as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization
performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®. Bedford Main
Street, Inc. joins over 675 other Main Street™ revitalization programs being recognized
as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street
Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National
Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow
the Main Street methodology.
“We congratulate this year’s accredited National Main Street Programs for meeting
our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director of the National
Trust Main Street Center. “Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining
that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition
to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term
success.”
The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main
Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the
National Trust Main Street Center’s ten basic performance standards. These standards
set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application
of the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation
criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable
revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering
strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic
progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National
Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.
The organization’s performance was evaluated by Virginia Main Street Program, which
is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Bedford, Virginia.
“Bedford Main Street’s main focus is to keep a vital and vibrant Centertown Bedford.
Bedford is a great place to work, live and play. Bedford is becoming more popular
with new loft-living spaces, upstairs office space and more dining. It takes a tremendous
number of volunteers in our program to accomplish all of this. We are very fortunate
that we are situated in a community with so many dedicated people” stated Linda Exley,
Executive Director, Bedford Main Street, Inc.
Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns
and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality
of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street
Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic
preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement
for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center
provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services,
in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials,
and national advocacy for commercial districts.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization
bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to
them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments
of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps
revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote
environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional
and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states,
the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy
and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities
committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping
the future of America’s stories. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org.
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