
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 14, 1995                   TAG: 9505190015
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROCKY MOUNT

ROCKY MOUNT'S center is charming. Like many downtowns, it has a character and vibrancy well worth preserving - and further developing.

Toward that goal, Rocky Mount's acceptance last week into the state's Main Street Program should help. The same can be said for three other Western Virginia localities - Martinsville, Staunton and Marion - that also won Main Street admission.

This program, which encourages public-private partnerships to build on the strengths of communities' central areas, provides not cash but expertise to help businesses and residents stimulate downtown economic development. Help can come in the form of landscape design, advice on facade renovations or technical assistance in marketing, old-business retention and new-business recruiting.

Competition to get into the program is stiff. No wonder: The rewards can be significant.

Since the initiative was begun in Virginia a decade ago, it has helped spur more than $50 million in private investments and the creation of an estimated 2,000 jobs in the downtowns of 18 Virginia communities previously admitted - including Bedford, Lexington, Radford, Pulaski, Galax and Clifton Forge.

Not all towns or smaller cities can meet the criteria. Among other things, there must be a commitment of local funds to hire a program manager - and a considerable show of support from businesses and residents. Rocky Mount and Franklin County, for instance, each contributed $12,500, and the business community matched that with $25,000, to organize for a revitalization effort that won the Main Street designation for Rocky Mount.

The community, in other words, needs to be solidly behind plans to reinvigorate a downtown's heart and heritage. Main Street is not a program for the dispirited or disaffected.

Downtowns in small cities and towns are endangered, just as they are in big cities, what with the continuing rush to suburbs and malls. Downtowns are a part of our communities, our nation, our history that shouldn't be lightly lost - and need not be. With smarts, a little expert help and community support, they can thrive.

by CNB