Main Street Walhalla is advancing to the Aspiring level of Main Street South Carolina, a program that offers technical assistance and training to help foster economic development in downtowns across the state.
At the Aspiring level, communities receive three years of hands-on guidance to build local capacity as they work to boost their downtown economy. Selection as an Aspiring Main Street member is a competitive process with a limited number of spots available each year. Interested cities must submit an application to be considered.
Main Street South Carolina uses the National Main Street Center's four-point approach, a strategy focused on building a strong organization for downtown, promoting the central business district, enhancing downtown buildings through good design and upkeep, and diversifying the downtown's economic base. This results-oriented approach attracts new investment to downtown districts, all while still embracing the existing building stock and amenities.
The Main Street Approach also recognizes that quick-fix solutions do not work. Instead, it advocates a return to community self-reliance and the redevelopment of downtown project areas based on their traditional assets: personal service, local ownership, a unique physical environment and a sense of community. The approach is an incremental, long-term, total community effort.
"Walhalla has demonstrated their readiness for this next level. Municipal leadership and private sector organizations have committed to supporting the local Main Street program," said Jenny Boulware, manager of Main Street SC.
Main Street SC empowers residents, business owners and local officials with the knowledge, skills, tools and organizational structure necessary to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts into vibrant centers of commerce and community.
For more information about Main Street South Carolina, visit the Municipal Association's website at www.masc.sc (keyword: Main Street).
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