Representatives of Fort Gibson were among those from nearly 20 communities throughout the state attending the Main Street Application Workshop last week in Oklathoma City. Attending from Fort Gibson were Kathryn Carson, town administrator; Debbie Daniels, town clerk; and Gary Perkins, chamber of commerce director.

“It is encouraging seeing so many Oklahoma communities understand the importance of a vital, healthy and attractive central business district,” said Linda Barnett, director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center, Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Having two representatives at the workshop is one of the first steps for towns interested in applying to be part of the Oklahoma Main Street Program. Communities must now submit a letter of intent in November in order to apply. Applications are due in January.

“The New Town Application Workshop is meant to make the process of applying to become an Oklahoma Main Street community less daunting and easier to understand,” Barnett said. “While we have always had a good interest in the program, this year’s attendance far exceeded attendance in recent years.”

There are 43 communities across the state actively participating in the program.

Fort Gibson is considering making application, but no decision has been made.

Bob Shoemaker, program manager for Watonga Main Street, and Cari Gray, program manager for Ada Main Street shared some of their experiences with the group of attendees.

“Ada Main Street has come a long way, but it did not happen overnight. This is the 20th year of the program in Ada, and we still have a lot to do,” Gray said. “The Main Street approach involves more than a coat of paint to work well. Main Street revitalization never really ends. The end justifies the means: an alive, healthy downtown, once again the center of the entire community.”

Since 1986, more than 60 participating Oklahoma Main Street communities have generated more than $637 million in total public and private reinvestment, created more than 11,500 new jobs and helped in the development of almost 3,700 new or expanded small businesses.

“In 1987 when Ada Main Street was accepted into the Main Street Program, there were over 35 vacancies on Main Street. Working with the State Main Street program and applying the National Main Street Center's established four point approach, committed individuals began to make great strides in restoring and revitalizing the downtown business district,” Gray said.

Towns attending the workshop in addition to Fort Gibson included: Alva, Atoka, Edmond, Eufaula, Granite, Hartshorne, Henryetta, Konawa, Langston, Laverne, Newcastle, Okeene, Pryor, Seminole, Stroud and Wewoka. Midtown in Oklahoma City and Kendall-Whittier in Tulsa also had representatives attending for potential urban Main Street districts.

For information about the Oklahoma Main Street Program, contact (405) 815-5171 or mainstreetstaff@OKcommerce.gov.