TEXAS MAIN STREET CITIES RECEIVE 2013 NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Nacogdoches has been commended for successful annual progress as a designated Main Street community. The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) made the announcement today at the winter gathering of Texas Main Street managers in Llano, Texas.

Sixty-seven designated Main Street programs in Texas were recognized. These cities will be further recognized as Nationally Accredited by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at the National Main Street conference in New Orleans in April. Communications & Main Street Director Sarah O’Brien will be presenting a session in New Orleans, on ways to work with local universities, titled “Town & Gowns: Tying your local university into your downtown.”
“It really is a notable accomplishment to be recognized in this way, especially for those programs that do it year after year,” said Debra Farst, TMSP state coordinator. “Incremental progress that leads to comprehensive success is at the core of the preservation-based Main Street model and that is exactly what these programs are showing. This process respects the unique nature of each Main Street community. Each program is recognized for their own local effort. They are truly real places telling real stories.”
Accredited programs show above average performance in ten categories on an annual report. Selection criteria focus on planning, partnerships, staffing, volunteer effort, preservation ethic, training and program assessment through reporting. The state office also works with programs throughout the year by providing various services based upon local needs. “We work really hard all year to ensure we receive National Recognition,” said O’Brien, “A huge thanks to all of our city support staff, volunteers, and advisory board members for help in making this happen.”

more

NATIONAL RECOGNITION, 2-2

For additional information about the national Main Street effort, visit the National Trust Main Street web site at http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/. For more information on the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street program visit www.thc.state.tx.us.
The THC’s Texas Main Street Program is a revitalization program for historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. It is based on a Four-Point Approach™ — organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring — all within the context of historic preservation. Implemented nationwide and in Texas in 1981, the Texas program has assisted approximately 165 communities throughout the state. For more information, contact Debra Farst at 512/463-5758. Or debra.farst@thc.state.tx.us.
www.thc.state.tx.us
______________________________________________________________________________
2013 National Recognition Cities

1. Amarillo
2. Bastrop
3. Bay City
4. Beaumont
5. Bowie
6. Brenham
7. Bridgeport
8. Canton
9. Canyon
10. Carthage
11. Celina
12. Clifton
13. Colorado City
14. Corsicana
15. Cotulla
16. Del Rio
17. Denison
18. Denton
19. Electra
20. Elgin
21. Farmersville
22. Ferris
23. Gainesville
24. Georgetown
25. Goliad
26. Gonzales
27. Graham
28. Grand Saline
29. Grapevine
30. Greenville
31. Harlingen
32. Henderson
33. Hillsboro
34. Huntsville
35. Kerrville
36. Kilgore
37. La Grange
38. Laredo
39. Levelland
40. Livingston
41. Llano
42. Longview
43. Lufkin
44. McKinney
45. Mineola
46. Mount Pleasant
47. Mount Vernon
48. Nacogdoches
49. New Braunfels
50. Odessa
51. Palestine
52. Paris
53. Pecos
54. Plainview
55. Rio Grande City
56. Rockwall
57. San Angelo
58. San Marcos
59. Seguin
60. Taylor
61. Tyler
62. Uvalde
63. Vernon
64. Victoria
65. Waxahachie
66. Weatherford
67. Winnsboro