The N.C. Department of Commerce announced today that six new communities have been chosen to participate in the Office of Urban Development’s 2013 Small Town Main Street program. Belhaven, Hayesville, Marshville, Mayodan, Robersonville and Valdese were selected through a competitive application process that included 18 communities from across the state. Designation of these six new towns brings the total number of the state’s Small Town Main Street communities to 50.
“Small towns across North Carolina continue to lead by example,” said Secretary Sharon Decker. “By incorporating a blend of arts and cultural amenities into our towns, we will continue to provide a vibrant Main Street setting for emerging business leaders and active citizens.”
Small Town Main Street, which began in eastern North Carolina in 2003 and was expanded to include the entire state in 2007, provides downtown revitalization assistance to selected smaller towns (under 7,500 in population) that lack the resources to pursue the N.C. Main Street program.
“It is equally important for North Carolina’s smaller towns to capitalize on their opportunities for re-investment within their communities,” said Liz Parham, director of the Office of Urban Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce, which oversees the N.C. Main Street program. “Our Small Town Main Street program assists towns in identifying and leveraging their local assets in order to accomplish their downtown economic development goals.”
Participating communities receive two years of concentrated, monthly on-site technical services from Small Town Main Street staff. Following the initial two-year period, communities may choose to continue in the program, receiving more limited services on an as needed basis.
Small Town Main Street, like the N.C. Main Street program, utilizes the Four-Point Approach® methodology, a comprehensive downtown revitalization process focused on organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring that was developed by the National Main Street Center®.
For more information about the Small Town Main Street program, visit www.nccommerce.com/MainStreet, or contact Liz Parham, director of the Office of Urban Development, at (919) 571-4900.