La Grande Main Street program recipient of $6,667 grant

The Oregon Main Street Program, a program provided by Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, has awarded a grant of $6,667 to the City of La Grande’s Main Street program for facade and building improvements within the downtown revitalization area.

A total of $100,000 in awards has been given to 11 Oregon Main Street communities that were selected into the program on September 26, 2008.

The award is intended to help La Grande address some of the most important priorities in its downtown that will help preserve heritage assets, stimulate the local economy, encourage additional public or private reinvestment and help implement local work plans.

The La Grande Main Street program officially got under way in January. Currently, four citizen committees are meeting regularly to develop work plans for the next year.

The Design Committee, working with city staff and the La Grande Landmarks Commission, will meet to propose a project to Oregon Main Street by June 30.

Currently, there are 50 cities and communities in Oregon participating in one of three program levels.

In this first year of the program communities are participating in regional training workshops and receiving assistance in starting, organizing and planning their local program with assistance from Oregon Main Street.

Technical assistance is being provided for historic surveys, community assessments, resource team visits, market analysis, and architectural design.

Communities are using this assistance to support and strengthen their traditional downtown commercial districts.

The Oregon Main Street program is a coordinating member of the National Trust Main Street Center. The Main Street Approach is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that uses historic preservation as one of its most important tools.

Oregon Main Street assists communities in the revitalization of their unique downtown places using the Main Street Approach.

Contact Charlie Mitchell, La Grande Community & Economic Development director, at 962-1307, or Gary Van Huffel, Oregon Main Street coordinator, at 986-0134 for additional information.