Kentucky Main Street, a program through the Kentucky Heritage Council, has notified Paducah Main Street, a division of the City of Paducah Planning Department, that it is a Nationally Accredited 2024 Kentucky Main Street Program based upon Paducah Main Street’s performance in 2023. Paducah Main Street’s performance is evaluated annually by Kentucky Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards.
Mayor George Bray said, “I want to congratulate Paducah Main Street including Planning Director Nic Hutchison and the Planning staff along with the Paducah Main Street Board for their leadership and commitment to the process that we undertake each year to maintain our official Main Street Certification from the State of Kentucky. The City became recertified in 2021, and it requires work and dedication to go through the process each year.”
Certified communities have an organization dedicated to the revitalization and management of their downtown with trained professional staff, focused budgets, an annual plan of work, and broad-based community support.
In the letter to Paducah, State Main Street Coordinator Kitty Dougoud says, “You have accomplished this by meeting or exceeding the highest standards for the National Main Street Center, which works to advance the preservation-based revitalization of commercial districts through the country. The hard work of Paducah Main Street, the city, and its volunteers is reflected in your designation and benefits your entire local community.”
Planning Director/Paducah Main Street Director Nic Hutchison said, “In partnership with Kentucky Main Street as the coordinating program, Paducah Main Street works to energize downtown Paducah into a vibrant place where people want to live, work, and play. Paducah Main Street invests in the preservation of buildings, helps foster and grow new businesses, and supports special events downtown. Having a nationally certified Main Street program adds value to the work we are doing.”
In 2023, Paducah’s downtown benefited from approximately $4.4 million in private investment with more than 20 jobs created. Additionally, the community contributed more than 5,000 volunteer hours toward downtown’s success.
“Paducah’s downtown is charming, lively, and full of history and architecture. The shopping opportunities are outstanding, and the night life draws people from everywhere. I am proud of every business, restaurant, and cultural venue that works every day to contribute to our local quality of life,” state Mayor Bray.
Hutchison added, “This recognition for Paducah Main Street is a credit to all of the volunteers, stakeholders, and the Main Street Board and committees who work every day building our downtown district’s economic health. It’s a partnership to maintain this success which requires active support from the public and private sectors.”
About Paducah Main Street
Paducah Main Street follows the Four-Point Approach® developed by Main Street America’s National Main Street Center emphasizing organization, promotion, design, and economic vitality. The goal is to encourage downtown revitalization and economic development within the context of historic preservation.
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