"The Main Street program has proven to create new investments, rehabilitate historic buildings and most importantly result in new jobs throughout the country," says Doug Rothwell of the MEDC. "The chosen communities receiving this designation will take a tremendous step toward a booming downtown."

The MEDC, along with an advisory committee, will select the demonstration communities to take part in the Main Street program after a formal application process.

The advisory committee consists of individuals from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, Michigan Local Initiatives Support Corp., Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Downtown Finance Association and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network.

The application process for the designation will begin in January. Designations are expected to be awarded by May 2003. Communities selected to participate in the program will be educated in the four-step Main Street approach that includes rehabilitating historic buildings and encouraging new construction, long term planning, organization, promotion and economic restructuring.

Farmington and Pontiac downtowns were selected in September to join Ferndale, Holly, Lake Orion, Rochester, Royal Oak and Walled Lake as Main Street Oakland County communities, a program which has been going on since 2000.

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2 More Communities to Get Main Street Makeovers

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