Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Montevallo – Montevallo Main Street has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America program. Accredited status is Main Street America’s top tier of recognition and signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive commercial district revitalization and proven track record of successfully applying the Main Street Approach.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have dedicated themselves to strengthening their communities,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These Accredited Main Street programs have proven to be powerful engines for revitalization by sparking impressive economic returns and preserving the character of their communities. During these challenging times, these Main Street programs will be key to bringing economic vitality back to commercial districts and improving quality of life during the recovery process.”

In 2019 alone, $6.45 billion of public and private reinvestment was generated, 6,466 net new businesses were opened, 32,316 net new were jobs created, and 10,412 buildings were rehabilitated in Main Street America communities.

Montevallo Main Street’s performance is evaluated by Main Street Alabama, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet ten rigorous performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.

Since June of last year, 7 businesses and 11 jobs have been added to Montevallo’s Main Street District, including Montevallo Makers, Goliath Lending, Scott Vaughn Owen Studio, Ideal Insurance, B&M Marketplace, Elite & Co. Salon and Brick & Valley Boutique. Five additional businesses are preparing to open within the next several months.

“The City of Montevallo has literally blossomed since being designated a Main Street Alabama community in 2016,” says Dr. Hollie C. Cost, mayor of Montevallo. “Not only has this designation served as a catalyst for sustained business growth and development downtown, but it has served as a uniting force across so many demographics. People now truly see Main Street as what it is – the heart of our community. It serves as a space for planned gatherings and informal daily chats. We are tremendously appreciative of all the volunteers who have made this possible and especially grateful for our dynamic director, Ms. Courtney Bennett.”

In addition to supporting existing businesses and helping recruit new ones, some of Montevallo Main Street’s projects over the last year include initiating a Veteran Banner program, facilitating public art projects, overseeing Façade Improvement Grants at 4 businesses and promoting the Main Street District through special events and advertising.

Main Street has also helped the business community navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing up-to-date resources, providing cloth masks to businesses in need and advertising that Montevallo is open for business.

“One of the largest benefits of being a Main Street community is the enhanced network created between our district businesses,” says Julie Smitherman, President of Montevallo Main Street’s Board of Directors. “Since our designation in 2016, we have created a strong bond and are able to work together to accomplish things that benefit the district like never before! We look forward to continuing to use that bond to face the unprecedented times ahead of us in 2020 and come out stronger and better than ever!”

ABOUT MONTEVALLO MAIN STREET

Montevallo became a Designated Main Street Community in June 2016. Montevallo Main Street works year-round to promote and revitalize our picturesque downtown by following the National Main Street Center’s trademarked 4 Point Approach of Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, and Organization. We have also added Sustainability as a focus. Our Transformation Strategies, which are the overarching goals we strive to achieve through our work, are:

• Making downtown an engaging atmosphere for people of all ages
• Cultivating an environment for healthy lifestyle options
• Encouraging and celebrating growth in the arts