Columbus is among Mississippi cities designated as having accredited National Main Street Programs, the National Main Street Center and Mississippi Main Street Association announced Wednesday.
“Receiving National Main Street accreditation is a prestigious designation, and we congratulate each of these cities for this achievement,” said Bob Wilson, MMSA executive director. “Our Main Street programs in Mississippi play a strategic role in stimulating economic development in our state.”
William Corder, president of the Main Street Columbus Board of Directors, said he is “not surprised” the organization continues to receive the designation.
“Both the staff and the board work diligently to provide effective, quality services to our community,” he said. “This certification only serves to validate our efforts.”
Patrice Frey, president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, said, “Accredited Main Street programs create vibrant communities by using a comprehensive strategy to preserve their historic character and revitalize their commercial districts, which helps make these great places to work, live, play and visit.”
Main Street organizations are evaluated annually by the Mississippi Main Street Association, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify local programs that meet 10 performance standards.
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 partnership, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress and preserving historic buildings.
Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow said, “Many do not realize that we operate using a four-point approach initiated by the Mississippi Main Street Assocition and National Main Street Center — organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. They are extremely vital in maintaining a successful and vibrant downtown area.”
The mission of Main Street Columbus is to enhance local culture and quality of life through planning, growth, diversification and preservation of the downtown historic district.
In 2013, Mississippi Main Street cities generated 301 net new businesses, 93 business expansions to existing businesses, 1,710 net new jobs, 160 facade rehabilitations and 351 upper floor housing units. More than 64,629 volunteer hours were recorded.
Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980, the National Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.