By: Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street Program Director, kkramm@seguintexas.gov, (830) 401-2448
The Texas Main Street Program of the Texas Historical Commission has recommended the Seguin Main Street Program for National Accreditation to the National Main Street Center. The recommendation is based upon Seguin’s Report of Progress submitted to the state office as part of its annual reporting requirement for Fiscal Year 2017.
In 1999, the National Main Street Center implemented this process to recognize local Main Street revitalization programs for their individual annual progress and improvement through the Main Street Four Point Approach™. Through the Approach, local programs focus on a myriad of activities within four strategic areas. This includes creating Economic Vitality through making the most of a community’s unique sense of place and existing historic assets, harnessing local economic opportunity and creating a supportive business environment for small businesses. Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical elements of downtown while capitalizing on unique assets that set the commercial district apart. Through Promotion, downtown is positioned as the center of the community and hub of economic activity. The Organization strategy area mobilizes the resources and partners needed to effectively show measurable outcomes from a Main Street revitalization effort. National Accreditation will be formally announced in March at the National Main Street Now conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Texas program was one of the first state coordinating programs to be established in 1981 and Seguin was one of the first pilot communities that launched the Main Street Program. Since 1981 Texas Main Street has grown from the original five communities to currently 89 designated Main Street programs, making it one of the largest in the country. Housed within the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas Main Street staff provide a variety of services to Main Street communities including preservation and design assistance, strategic planning, training's, small business assistance, economic impact and feasibility studies, assistance in tracking property information and more.
Seguin Main Street was recommended for accreditation based on our long standing partnerships in the community, like with the Kiwanis installing American flags during patriotic holidays, and building new partners like the Guadalupe County United Way providing grant funding for art in downtown. The reinvestment in downtown Seguin played a part in our accreditation; projects like the Warehouse and Seguin Coffee Company are just a few of the recent developments that have helped revitalize downtown Seguin. Other factors like a strong work plan, diverse board, continuing education and several others all were accounted for in the recommendation.
“We are pleased to be recommended for accreditation again in 2018. We work hard to ensure that we are working on a comprehensive plan to continue the revitalization of downtown Seguin and it is an honor for that to be recognized at the state and national level,” said Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street & CVB Director.
For more information on the Seguin Main Street Program, visit www.seguintexas.gov or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SeguinMainStreet.
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