The efforts of Main Street Martinsburg over the past year has earned it recognition for the commercial district revitalization by meeting standards for performance set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Main Street Martinsburg joins 800 other Main Street revitalization programs nationally recognized as 2007 Accredited National Main Street Programs.

“The national accreditation means the local Main Street program is meeting our national standards of performance for what a Main Street program should be doing,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “The organizations we named each year as National Main Street Programs are those that have demonstrated the skills and comprehensive perspective needed to succeed in Main Street revitalization.”

The annual accreditation process evaluates commercial district revitalization programs based on criteria ranging from having an active board of directors and paid professional manager to tracking economic progress and preserving historic Main Street buildings.

“Rebuilding a district economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement, active support from both public and private sectors, and sound management,” said Loescher. “Having a solid organization at the foundation of that revitalization effort is so important to long term success.”

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

“Baby steps come before walking. Successful revitalization programs begin with basic, simple activities that demonstrate that new things are happening in downtown Martinsburg,” said Randy Lewis, Executive Director. “It takes a community, volunteers and leaders to demonstrate involvement and commitment to the revitalization efforts” said Lewis
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