Main Street Program
The Rome Main Street Program is part of a National Program that encourages economic improvement and physical renovations in downtown.
The Main Street Program builds on the total image, not just a facelift of aging buildings. The process is a four point approach implemented with private and public sector support.
Organization: Identify and strengthen the ability of leaders to work together managing downtown.
Promotion: Market downtown as the center of activity.
Design: Improve the physical appearance through attention to buildings, signs, and public areas.
Economic Development: Redefine downtown’s position by recruiting new and complementary businesses, finding new uses for buildings and working with existing business to improve their ability to target their market.
Much of Main Street’s focus is on intangibles: ideas, attitudes, and economic opportunities. A positive perception by the community must be won and continually renewed. Downtown’s current condition is the product of long, gradual change. It will take time and consistent effort to reverse negatives that have occurred. Change is only going to occur as the result of step-by-step actions.
Georgia entered the program in 1980, selected as one of six demonstration states by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The goal is to achieve revitalization within the context of historic preservation, stressing self-reliance through partnerships. Rome was accepted into the program in 1981 and in 2003 received the National Designation as a Great American Main Street City. The Rome Main Street Program is jointly sponsored by the City of Rome and the Downtown Development Authority with the Authority as administrator of the program.
Main Street Program Links
National Trust for Historic Preservation - National Main Street Center: www.mainstreet.org
Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development www.dca.state.ga.us
Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation www.georgiatrust.org
