Our Program
OUr program:
Our program is a Main Street® program, which is a proven strategy for revitalization, a powerful network of linked communities, and a national support program that leads the field. As a Main Street America 2022 Affiliate™, our program will follow the Main Street Approach, a revitalization strategy focusing on four main points of interest: economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. By using this 4-point approach, the program will identify new market opportunities, stimulate existing businesses, encourage community cooperation, foster leadership, improve the appearance of downtown, and promote Downtown Ponchatoula as a positive and exciting place to live, shop and invest. This program is truly the key to revitalizing and reinventing our downtown community. As we work to stimulate our local economy and preserve our historic district, we will strive to promote Downtown Ponchatoula as a “BERRY” sweet place to stop and stay awhile!
Main Street America™
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
As a Main Street America™ 2022 Affiliate, Downtown Ponchatoula is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
Main Street America™ is a movement.
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America™ represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America™ network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.
Main Street America™ is a mark of distinction.
It is a seal, recognizing that participating programs, organizations, and communities are part of a national movement with a proven track record for celebrating community character, preserving local history, and generating impressive economic returns. Since 1980, over 2,000 communities have been part of Main Street, bringing renewed energy and activity to America’s downtowns and commercial districts, securing $61 billion in new investment creating more than 525,000 net new jobs and rehabilitating 251,000 buildings.
Main Street America™ is a time-tested strategy.
Main Street America™ communities are encouraged to make use of a time-tested approach, known as the Main Street Approach. The Main Street Approach is rooted in a commitment to broad-based community engagement, a holistic understanding of the factors that impact the quality of life in a community, and strategic focus on the core principles of downtown and neighborhood revitalization: Economic Vitality, Quality Design, Effective Promotion, and Sustainable Organization.
To learn more about Main Street America™, click HERE.
Louisiana Main Street
2022 Main Street Managers in Ponchatoula at Twin Steeples for the Summer Quarterly Meeting
In addition to being a Main Street America™ 2022 Affiliate, we are also a part of the state coordinating program: Louisiana Main Street. As part of this program, members from our team attend quarterly workshops, virtual trainings, tri-state conferences, and the annual National Main Street Now Conference. During these trainings and conferences, we network with our fellow Main Street managers and learn about new ways to bring economic growth to our Main Street communities. In addition, we work with Louisiana State Tourism and other state agencies to promote Main Streets and downtown historic districts throughout the state of Louisiana. Together, we are saving our historic downtown business communities. See the boundaries of our Main Street below.
To learn more about Louisiana Main Street, click HERE.
Ponchatoula Main Street District Boundaries, approved 2021