Waynesburg’s downtown named one of state’s ‘Nationally Accredited Programs’
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) recently recognized that 40 Pennsylvania downtowns, including Waynesburg’s downtown through the efforts of Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful, have been named “Nationally Accredited Programs” by the National Main Street Center (NMSC).
Receiving National Accreditation Main Street Program status is seen as a prominent recognition, according to PDC.
Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful was one of the 40 initiatives that were recognized.
Accredited Main Street programs are evaluated annually by their coordinating program. PDC, the coordinating program of Main Street programs in Pennsylvania, is proud to see these downtowns acknowledged for their determination to meet Main Street principles.
All of the 40 communities have met the ten performance standards required by NMSC. These standards include topics such as training requirements, planning methods, and community involvement. Making sure there is a developed vision and mission statement relevant to community conditions and to the local Main Street program’s organizational stage and having a broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process, with strong support from both the public and private sectors head the list.
“It is a very big honor to receive national accreditation based on the 10 areas of criteria that needed to be met,” said Jeanine Henry, president of Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful.
Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful was incorporated on Sept. 20, 2001 after a yearlong visioning and consensus process which proposed a main street footprint and created a vision.
The mission of Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful represents the community endeavor to preserve and revitalize the historic downtown area by creating a heightened public awareness of the educational, cultural and historical opportunities and convenience in shopping associated with visiting the Waynesburg Main Street area.
All Main Street programs involved have worked together to build an accomplished community revitalization effort through training and education. Receiving national accreditation shows that these programs are dedicated to creating a change in their community and leading as an example for other programs in the revitalization process.
“Waynesburg is very fortunate to have a vibrant downtown area with a great group of merchants that work well together,” Henry said. “It is very important to understand that receiving this accreditation wouldn’t be possible without everybody involved.”
The program is looking to continue plans for implementing events in the coming months as well. On May 13, Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful kicked off their Farmer’s Market, which will last throughout the summer months near the courthouse. This weekend, the Sheep & Fiber Festival will be taking place at the Greene County Fairgrounds. In June, they are planning to have a Summer Open House, a spin off from the Holiday Open House that takes place in early December. A definitive time or date has yet to be set for that event.
Founded in 1987, the mission of Pennsylvania Downtown Center is to build and support the capacity of local nonprofit organizations, municipalities and individuals to enhance the overall well-being and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s communities. For more information about the accredited communities or the Main Street program, contact Maria Wherley at (717) 233-4675 ext. 116 or email here.