Olde Town receives accreditation for third year

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May 5, 2009

Variety of events set this summer in downtown area

By Andrew Carranza/Staff writer Allied News Tue May 05, 2009, 02:25 PM EDT

Olde Town Grove City has been recognized as an accredited National Main Street Program by the National Trust Main Street Center.

“We reached the highest standard we can as a Main Street Program,” said Olde Town manager Lisa Pritchard. “It’s such an honor and it shows that all the hard work we do together pays off.”

Olde Town Grove City has received accreditation from the National Trust since the program was implemented in town three years ago, according to Pritchard.

“It’s standard but not all (Main Street Programs) receive accreditation,” she noted. “We make sure we have absolutely everything that’s required.”

The National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners accredit Main Street programs that have formed strong revitalization organizations that have shown ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center, in a press release. “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 Main Street methodology includes 10 basic performance standards, which set the benchmarks for measuring a Main Street program’s application of the Four-Point Approach for revitalization.

Evaluation criteria includes determining that communities are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts, as well as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress and preserving historic buildings.

Olde Town Grove City’s performance was evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Pennsylvania.

The state center recommended Olde Town for accreditation, Pritchard said.

“This program has proven to be the complete and successful addition to the Streetscape project launched and completed by (Grove City Revitalization Inc.),” said Mindy Steigerwald, Olde Town Organization Chair. “Using the guidance of the Main Street Program, our downtown has come alive and become the vibrant place that so many of us remember from our childhoods.”

Steigerwald and Pritchard also praised the effort of local government officials and organizations.

“We are truly blessed to have the support of our borough government and (Grove City College),” Steigerwald said. “Under the leadership of Lisa Pritchard and her assistant, Traci Turner, our community is a bright star in the Commonwealth.”

“We receive a lot of support and leadership from members of Grove City Revitalization Inc. and Olde Town,” Pritchard added.

According to Pritchard, there will be no downtime to enjoy accreditation, as there is still much work to do for the many events lined up this summer.

“We’ve got plenty going on, including the Olde Town American Festival and Farmer’s Market,” she noted. “It’s going to be a full summer!”

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has assisted hundreds of downtowns across the United States to reclaim and revitalize their own unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide.

The National Trust is headquartered in Washington, DC, with nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites and partner organizations in all 50 states.

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