HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20140826_MainStreetAccreditation.docxPRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chantel Morton, Main Street Coordinator
Phone: 912/472-5071
Email: cmorton@cityoftybee.org
Tybee Island Main Street Program
Receives 2014 National Main Street Accreditation
Tybee Island, Georgia (August 26, 2014) – The City of Tybee Island’s Main Street Program has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial
district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center®, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Each year, the National Main Street
Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street® programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through
the Main Street Four Point Approach®.
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“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for their outstanding accomplishment in meeting the National Main Street Center’s performance standards,” says
Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center. “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.”
The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by Georgia Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development, which works in partnership with the National Main Street
Center to identify the local programs that meet ten 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 fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings.
Since first receiving designation four years ago, the Tybee Island Main Street Program continues to add to its many successful programs, assisting entrepreneurs, providing design assistance,
and coordinating efforts to strengthen the local economy and preserve the island’s heritage. The success of the program comes from tremendous leadership that understands the economic
value of a thriving city for its residents, merchants, and visitors year-round. Tybee Island Main Street members and coordinator work consistently not only meet the standards, but
to exceed them by building collaboration with partners to have a healthy, sustainable economy and community pride.
"The City of Tybee Island is honored to be recognized as an accredited Main Street community once again this year,” comments Mayor Jason Buelterman. “Like so many of our successes,
this is a result of many stakeholders working together to create an even better city for living, working and playing year-round. The incremental progress that leads to long term success
is at the core of this economic development, historic preservation model and that is what this program is proving for our community. Each program throughout the nation is recognized
for their unique local efforts and I am proud that our city is working together for its success.”
About Tybee Island Main Street Program: Tybee Island Main Street is managed by one staff person and a volunteer board of directors and committees working with partners to ensure the
vision of improving the quality of life for those that live, work, and visit Tybee Island through a healthy business corridor and enhancing the cultural experience while preserving
the community's barrier island heritage. The program follows an annual work plan which improves all aspects of the designated corridor, while focusing on economic development within
the context of historic preservation to enhance the quality of life. With broad-based community support, it integrates a practical management strategy by using the proven Four-Point
Approach®. For more information, visit www.tybeeislandmainstreet.com.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays pre- Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle
species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs, and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, link to http://www.visittybee.com/ and to find more about the
City of Tybee Island link to http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
About the National Trust for Historic Preservation: 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. Working in more than 2,200 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 34 years, the Main Street program has leveraged
more than $59.6 billion in new public and private investment. Participating communities have created 502,728 net new jobs and 115,381 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than
246,158 buildings, leveraging an average of $33.28 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.
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