[MainstreetTowns] FW: new town announcement - poteau.docx

[Kelli Yadon]

This was released to the statewide media this afternoon!  Welcome back, Poteau!!

From: Donald Hackler
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 2:00 PM
Subject: new town announcement - poteau.docx

Contact: Buffy Hughes
Oklahoma Main Street Center
Phone: (405) 815-6552
Email: Buffy.hughes at OKcommerce.gov<mailto:Buffy.hughes at OKcommerce.gov>

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2018

Oklahoma Main Street Center Announces 2018 New Town Selection

(Oklahoma City, Okla.) - The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced today that Poteau, Okla., is the newest addition to the Oklahoma Main Street Program for 2018. Historic Downtown Poteau rejoins the program at the associate level. This brings the total number of participants in the state to 31, including three urban areas and three associate programs.

"The Oklahoma Main Street Center is happy to welcome Poteau back into the state Main Street program," said Oklahoma Main Street Center Director Buffy Hughes. "Poteau has a rich a history, exciting festivals, and a vibrant local community. Located near Wister State Park and other popular tourist destinations, downtown Poteau boasts many historic buildings, shops, cafés and restaurants. We look forward to a bright future together as we build on what has been, showcase what is, and explore what is yet to come."
The Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization effort that provides communities with tools to improve their historic central and neighborhood business district areas.  The Oklahoma Main Street program serves as the state coordinating program for Main Street America, a program of the National Main Street Center, Inc. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce oversees the state Main Street Program.

"I am proud the downtown organization has decided to return to the Oklahoma Main Street Program," said Poteau Mayor Jeff Shockley. "The leadership and education provided by Oklahoma Main Street is invaluable. Our hope is this decision will advance our local organization to the next level."

The associate level is a two-year endeavor to build capacity toward operation of the fully designated Main Street program. Poteau will have access to limited Main Street services including training and technical assistance for preservation-based commercial district revitalization, as well as have limited Main Street requirements. The goal of the associate level is to work toward building capacity to build the organization that will lead the community into more successful downtown development.

Programs operating at the under 5,000 (population) associate level are not required to have paid staff but must have a volunteer who can dedicate 20 hours a week to the program.
The associate level will also operate with a volunteer board of directors, much like the fully recognized programs.

Poteau will receive leadership training for their program manager and board of directors, as well as training in the nationally recognized Four-Point Main Street approach of organization, promotion, design and economic vitality, Hughes added.

According to latest figures, Oklahoma Main Street communities have generated more than $1.68 million in total public and private reinvestment, created more than 18,650 new jobs and helped in the development of more than 5,400 new or expanded small businesses.

For more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, please call (405) 815-6552 or visit OKcommerce.gov/mainstreet.

About Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation<http://www.savingplaces.org/>.


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