Rehoboth Beach, DE (July 20, 2010)-Rehoboth Beach Main Street has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.  Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street Four-Point Approach methodology for strengthening their local economy and protecting their historic buildings.
 
"We congratulate this year's nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards," says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center.  "Accredited Main Street programs are meeting the challenges of the recession head on and are successfully using a focused, comprehensive revitalization strategy to keep their communities vibrant and sustainable."
 
The organization's performance is annually evaluated by Downtown Delaware of the Delaware Economic Development Office, which works in partnership with the National Trust Main Street center to identify the local programs that meet 10 performance standards.  These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program's application of the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings.  For more information on the national program accreditation program, visit www.mainstreet.orgnationalprograms.
 
Rehoboth Beach Main Street is a non-profit organization devoted to keeping Downtown Rehoboth Beach economically vibrant and pleasing in appearance. Events are planned to bring shoppers, diners & visitors downtown. Economic programs are created to support independent business, encourage preservation ethic and a sense of history, and promote renovation/restoration programs to enhance downtown buildings, signage and streetscapes.
 
"Being recognized by the National Trust Main Street Program as an accredited program confirms that Rehoboth Beach Main Street's persistence and hard work is paying off.  In 2009, our organization won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2010, we are still holding strong and working toward maintaining the best downtown Rehoboth Beach possible," stated Jenny Barger, Director of Rehoboth Beach Main Street. "We couldn't do it without the help from our dedicated volunteers and active committees."

 

From 2009-2010, Rehoboth Beach Main Street has presented many exciting events and programs.  Devoted to downtown Rehoboth Beach, RBMS held the 13th Annual Cottage & Town Awards, 2nd Annual Oktoberfest, Holiday Community Unity Dinner, bestowed Citizen of the Year to Bette Gallo, and aided in the downtown Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade. Encouraging tourism and local participation to the area, RBMS held the 20th Annual Chocolate Festival with the Friends of Rehoboth Library, presented the 4th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration, incorporated an Art Festival and public Speed Sketch with Rehoboth Art League's Plein Air Paint Out, celebrated members and volunteers at an Annual Reception, organized and promoted Restaurant Week, and of course, held the July 4th Fireworks.
 
In the last year, Rehoboth Beach Main Street has supported independent businesses and locally owned franchises through a Downtown Gift Certificate Program, regional advertising, tourism and economic development programs, an information kiosk on the newly constructed boardwalk, empty storefront window projects, seminars and education for businesses, and acting as a liaison between the business community and the City of Rehoboth Beach.  RBMS also takes pride in e-mail newsletters, a website www.downtownrehoboth.com, and communications for businesses, residents, and visitors-all to benefit downtown Rehoboth Beach.
 
To learn more about Rehoboth Beach Main Street, see www.downtownrehoboth.com or call 302-227-2772.  For information about the National Trust for Historic Preservation, see www.PreservatonNation.org.