In June, Picayune Main Street, Inc. was designated as an accredited National Main Street program. 

According to a press release, the National Main Street Center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and each year the center announces the list of accredited Main Street programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the Main Street Four-Point approach.

“It took a lot of hard work from board and business members and our volunteers to achieve this honor in less than six months,” Reba Beebe, Director of Picayune Main Street, Inc. said.

There are 53 participating communities in the National Main Street program and only about 20 reach accreditation, Beebe said.

“I consider that an honor,” Beebe said. “We will continue to work to build our program and achieve national accreditation every year.”

Beebe credits the success of Main Street to a four-point approach that includes, design, organization, promotion and economic restructuring.

“We are constantly working to improve downtown revitalization and that’s our main focus,” Beebe said.

Each year the National Main Street Center reviews Picayune’s Main Street program, which is based on monthly reports and forms that are sent to the center, Beebe said.

In 2013, Picayune Main Street participated in asset mapping with the purpose of devising ways to make downtown more appealing in order to attract businesses, Beebe said.

Beebe said the group also promoted Small Business Saturday, partnered with the City of Picayune for Christmas on the Rails and Shop by Candlelight, published history books by local author Nat Lovell, assisted with numerous tours conducted at the Intermodal and Tourist Center during the Christmas season, marketed the 2013 collectible Christmas ornament.

And additionally, design committee chair Adam Bennett painted the downtown clock, directional signs and lamp post black to match a new color scheme of downtown.

“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for their outstanding accomplishment in meeting the National Main Street Center’s performance standards,” Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center said in a press release.

These programs create vibrant communities by using a comprehensive strategy to preserve their historic character and revitalize their commercial districts, which helps make these great places to work, live, play and visit, Frey said.

Learn more about Picayune Main Street, Inc. at www.picayunemainstreet.com.  Visit www.preservationnation.org to learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Main Street Center.