Georgetown Main Street Program Recognized

For the 11th consecutive year, the Georgetown Main Street Program was recognized with national accreditation. The honor was conferred last week at the winter meeting of the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Main Street Program. Georgetown was one of 67 accredited Main Street programs in Texas that were recognized at the January 30 conference in Llano.

“It really is a notable accomplishment to be recognized in this way, especially for those programs that do it year after year,” said Debra Farst, Texas Main Street Program state coordinator. “Incremental progress that leads to comprehensive success is at the core of the preservation-based Main Street model and that is exactly what these programs are showing. Each program is recognized for their own local effort. They are truly real places telling real stories.”

Accredited programs show above average performance in ten categories on an annual report. Selection criteria focus on planning, partnerships, staffing, volunteer effort, preservation ethic, training, and program assessment through reporting. The state office also works with programs throughout the year by providing various services based upon local needs.

Pictured in the photo are Debra Farst, Texas Main Street Program state coordinator, Shelly Hargrove, Georgetown Main Street Program manager, and Brad Patterson, division director, Community Heritage Development Division, Texas Historical Commission.

In 2012, the Georgetown Main Street Program awarded $24,400 in façade and sign reimbursement grants to eight downtown businesses. Events and programs in 2012 include the Georgetown Swirl wine and food event, the Main Street 30th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, the Light Up the Square holiday lighting campaign, and the annual collectible ornament sale. Since 2003, the Georgetown Main Street Program has awarded $226,995 in façade and sign reimbursement grants to downtown businesses.

For more information about the Georgetown Main Street Program, go to mainstreet.georgetown.org. View the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street program site for more information.