Downtown Middlesboro named a Designated Kentucky Main Street Program

Isaac Kremer, Executive Director of Discover Downtown Middlesboro, with Kitty Dougoud, Kentucky Main Street Coordinator and Middlesboro Mayor Bill Kelley.

Middlesboro, Kentucky - The Board of Directors of Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc., are pleased to announce that Downtown Middlesboro is now a "Designated Kentucky Main Street Program." This is the first time that the organization has received this designation since being founded in 2006.

Keith Nagle, President of Discover Downtown Middlesboro said, "We are extremely honored to be among an elite group of just over two dozen designated programs in Kentucky. This is a testament to the hard work of our board, volunteers, staff, and everyone who has contributed to the success of our organization."

In January 2013 the organization submitted an application to the Kentucky Main Street program documenting the work of the organization over the previous year. The application measured the work of the program many ways, including demonstrating community support for the commercial district revitalization process, having a mission and vision statement, and having a comprehensive work plan. The organization was also required to demonstrate an historic preservation ethic, an active Board of Directors, adequate operating budget, and a paid professional program manager. Other requirements included providing ongoing training for staff and volunteers and reporting key statistics about businesses and job created and the level of public and private investment in the downtown area.

The certificate from the Kentucky Main Street Program.

DDM Executive Director Isaac Kremer said, "As much as we are excited about the progress we've made to date, the best is yet to be."

Presently the organization is working to finalize a Strategic Plan to clearly lay out their work for the next five years. A Preservation Plan and Philanthropic Plan are being prepared presently and expected to be completed by November. Finally, work is being done to host a Build a Better Block event where a single block of the downtown is transformed by around 100 people in 48 hours for less than $1,000. This event is being planned for October 25 and 26 this year.

These efforts have been supported by grants received from the Appalachian Regional Commission, Appalachian Regional Philanthropic Initiative, Brushy Fork Institute, Center for Rural Development, the Kentucky Heritage Council, Kentucky League of Cities, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For those who want to participate in either call, please contact Discover Downtown Middlesboro at (606) 248-6155 or via our website at www.downtownmiddlesboro.org. We are also on Facebook and Twitter at "DDMBoro."