Sep 25, 2014 2 min read

Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful was one of 32 Main Street communities from across the commonwealth to receive recognition as “Nationally Accredited Programs” by the National Main Street Center.

The annual national accreditation status is based upon 10 national standards of performance that include assessment of operating budget, involvement of local boards and committees, reporting of key statistics, training for staff and volunteers and more.

Those 10 standards are:

• Has broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process, with strong support from both the public and private sectors;

• Has developed vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and to the local Main Street program’s organizational stage;

• Has a comprehensive Main Street work plan;

• Possesses an historic preservation ethic;

• Has an active board of directors and committees;

• Has an adequate operating budget;

• Has a paid professional program manager;

• Conducts a program of ongoing training for staff and volunteers;

• Reports key statistics;

• And is a current member of the National Trust Main Street Network.

“As the coordinating organization for the Main Street program in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center is extremely proud of the Main Street communities that have received this recognition from the National Main Street Center this year,” said PDC executive director Bill Fontana. “While each and every one of Pennsylvania’s Main Street programs contributes to making their communities great, these 32 accredited communities deserve special recognition. Accreditation is an acknowledgment of the fact that an organization is following and implementing a program that is likely to result in a successful revitalization effort.”

The Main Street Four-Point Approach based on design, promotion, organization and economic restructuring is a comprehensive, preservation-based strategy for strengthening and sustaining the places and enterprises that make up vibrant and unique communities.

NMSC was established in 1980 and leads a network of more than 1,200 state, regional and local programs in this common sense approach to addressing the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional central business districts. NMSC is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Founded in 1987, the mission of Pennsylvania Downtown Center is to build and support the capacity of local nonprofit organizations, municipalities and individuals to enhance the overall well-being and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s core communities.”

For information about the 32 accredited communities or the Main Street program, call Maria Wherley at 717-233-4675, ext. 116 or email mariawherley@padowntown.org.