EDA Receives National Accreditation
Ellensburg Downtown Association Receives 2008 National Main
Street Program Accreditation
The Ellensburg Downtown Association 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(R). The Ellensburg
Downtown Association, 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 the
Washington State Main
Street Program, CTED, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street
programs in Ellensburg and through Washington state.
The Ellensburg Downtown Association formed in October 2004 after functioning as
a subcommittee of the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce for several years. The
association was accepted as a Washington state designated Main Street Community
in March of 2007.
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.
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.
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