Franklin receives Virginia Main Street Milestone Awards
Published 11:21 am Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Kyle Meyer, Virginia Main Street community revitalization specialist; Dan Howe, Downtown Franklin Association executive director; Kathy Worrell, DFA board secretary; Beverly Myers, DFA board president; Juanita Richards, DFA board vice president; Bill Shelton, director Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. — SUBMITTED
RICHMOND
On Thursday, March 19, Downtown Franklin Association and the City of Franklin were presented with a Virginia Main Street Milestone Achievement Award for the dedication of more than 55,000 volunteer hours to the revitalization of the downtown’s historic commercial district. The awards were presented at Richmond’s John Marshall Ballroom.
In attendance from the Downtown Franklin Association board were Beverly Myers, DFA President and downtown property owner; Juanita Richards, DFA Vice-President and owner of Richwood Graphics; Kathy Worrell, DFA Board Secretary and office manager at Manry Rawls Insurance; and Dan Howe, Downtown Franklin Executive Director. Worrell accepted the award on behalf of the Downtown Franklin Association.
“The Virginia Main Street program is a vital part of building a new Virginia economy,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “The work throughout the 25 Virginia Main Street communities and the many affiliates has created sustainable and vibrant downtown that makes Virginia communities a great place to live, work, play and do business.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones presents Kathy Worrell, Downtown Franklin Board Secretary, with Virginia Main Street Milestone award for 55,000 Volunteer Hours. — SUBMITTED
At the ceremony that focused on the results of Main Street efforts throughout the past 30 years, Jones spoke to the audience of nearly 100 downtown revitalization volunteers and professionals from around the state about the visible results of their hard work.
“In the last five years, designated Main Street communities have sparked more than $148 million in private investment in their districts,” said Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director Bill Shelton. “As a result, last year, there was a net collective gain of 607 jobs across the 25 Main Street downtown districts.”
The Downtown Franklin Association utilizes the four-point approach from Virginia Main Street
— design, organization, promotions, and economic restructuring. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to serve on the various committees who facilitate the work of the DFA. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about downtown Franklin, please call the DFA office at 562-6900.
Currently, there are 25 designated Virginia Main Street communities. Franklin, along with Winchester and Bedford, are the only three original Virginia Main Streets to celebrate the full 30-year anniversary. The three communities were touted for this accomplishment.
The Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts. Virginia Main Street uses the National Main Street model to help communities revitalize downtown by focusing on their unique heritage and attributes. The program helps communities implement a comprehensive revitalization strategy that creates economic growth and pride in downtown.
For more information about the Virginia Main Street program, call 804-371-7030 or visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/MainStreet.
