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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 26, 1995                   TAG: 9510260036
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Medium

MAIN STREET SEEKS WORD ON TOWN PROGRAM

Pulaski has been a Main Street community for years but the town's Economic Development Board, formed earlier this year, inherited the responsibilities of the former Main Street board.

However, it is not an official Main Street board and there is no Main Street director, as required by the national program.

Alex Rygas, a merchant who was the Main Street board's president last year, has been keeping tabs on its funds and paying the Main Street dues.

The board's executive committee agreed Wednesday to set up a special meeting with the Pulaski Business Alliance, an organization of downtown merchants which spun off from the Main Street program, to discuss the matter. Barry Matherly, the board's economic development director, will ask a representative of the Main Street program to attend the joint session.

Another issue to be discussed at that meeting will be whether to expand the Main Street program to cover more of the town. Traditionally, it has covered the main downtown business section and historical district.

"There's no reason not to be a Main Street program. There's no disadvantage," said board Vice Chairman Wayne Carpenter. "There're a lot of benefits."

Main Street generally provides consultants and informational assistance to communities shortly after they are designated for its program, and then phases out its involvement and leaves it to the locality to continue.

Matherly is applying to the Main Street program for $1,000 worth of written materials covering such topics as business planning and advertising and customer satisfaction that could be made available to local businesses.

The economic development staff got approval Wednesday from the Executive Committee to update a Pulaski walking tour brochure and to work with advertising consultant Robert Henderson on a tourism marketing plan.

Matherly reported that concrete bases for new signs at three town entrances will be poured in the next week or so. The signs will be dropped into their foundations when they are completed, probably in November. They will be placed at entrances on U.S. 11, Virginia 99 and Bob White Boulevard. Landscaping is planned for next spring.