press release

Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc.
Receives 2008 National Main Street Program Accreditation
April 1, 2008

 Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc. (WDDI) has been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®.  WDDI joins over 675 other Main Street™ revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs.  Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

“We congratulate this year’s accredited National Main Street Programs for meeting our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success.”

The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust Main Street Center’s ten basic 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 as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the National Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

The organization’s performance was evaluated by Virginia Main Street which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Virginia.

WDDI Board President, Brent Frank, said, “The past year has been exciting and rejuvenating for the staff and Board of WDDI. This accreditation is indicative of our commitment to the Main Street model and validates our adherence to the principles of the program. While the fundamentals of the approach are important, each community is unique and requires specialized programs for success. WDDI has celebrated numerous new business openings, enhanced our communication of successes, and conducted well attended new and annual events.  All of this leads to greater visibility and elevated interest in the district.  Our annual work plan has also been refined through the use of a Performance Tree that allows us to measure our efforts and successes.  The broad body of work performed with our modest resources is paying off and we look forward to continued community support.”

Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.

Waynesboro City Manager, Doug Walker said “Waynesboro’s active participation in the Virginia Main Street program and National Main Street program remains a key component of the overall downtown revitalization effort.  This acknowledgement by our National Main Street partners that the City has achieved core program performance standards is a strong indication of the success of WDDI.”  

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org.