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Main Street Program Explained at Meeting
By Cathy Patton
WELCH - Representatives from the WELLNESS COUNCIL of West Virginia WV Collaborative appeared at the McDowell Library Wednesday afternoon to provide an overview of the Main Street Program and to explain the WELLNESS COUNCIL’s connection to it.
“We’re looking for stakeholders to buy into the revitalization of downtown Welch,” Welch native Sharon Mosko Covert said in explaining the group’s visit to the county seat.
Covert related that the WELLNESS COUNCIL received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to do wellness training and to work in five southern West Virginia counties to prepare the county seats in each of the counties for the Main Street Program. The counties include McDowell, Boone, Fayette, Logan and Wyoming.
Information provided by the group states: “The WV Collaborative will identify and organize the appropriate stakeholders in each community to create a buy-in for the Main Street Revitalization Program that will also address public health policy, such a clean indoor air. Working with each town’s stakeholders, the communities will be evaluated for potential improvements and programming that not only affects the aesthetics of the region, but also encourages healthier lifestyle choices by residents. Stakeholders and Partners will networked with other successful Main Street programs across the state that have integrated the concept of improved health in their planning.”
Describing it as “a very nice and beautiful community,” Covert’s associate, Marsha Geyer commended the work that has already been done in Welch. She explained that obtaining the Main Street certification can be lengthy process. On the plus side, she said the designation provides a wide venue for grant funding that otherwise would not be available to towns.
Currently, 13 towns in West Virginia have the Main Street designation.
“The program works from the bottom up,” Geyer said. “The community has to want it in order for it to work. It’s about forming partnerships with the community and organizations … and working with state and local government.”
Main Street is built on a four-part approach: design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization, she said.
Towns, like Welch, with a population of 6000 or less must commit $25,000 per year for three years to be in the program, Geyer said. The budget is broken into thirds with 1/3 coming from city or county government, 1/3 coming from sponsoring members and 1/3 from funding efforts.
Wednesday’s meeting could lead the way for Welch to be in the pre-Main Street Program and teach the town what is required to receive the official Main Street designation. The new Main Street designations will be selected from the pre-program, Geyer said.
Geyer said that former Welch Mayor and County Commissioner Bobby Lewis is her boss. Her office, she said, is located in the economic and community development section of the state capitol.
In concluding the program, Covert reminded the audience: “People are getting away sprawl and back to small towns. God bless Welch,” she said.
Pleased with the good turnout, but a bit disappointed that more downtown business owners didn’t attend the meeting, Welch Mayor Martha Moore commented that the Main Street Program works by the “If you build it, they will come” philosophy.
“The Main Street Program can be a very nice beginning for a community,” Moore said. “The designation brings with it credibility. It certainly feels that we’ve turned the corner and are moving toward the future, as opposed to looking back.”
Another meeting on the Main Street Program is scheduled for the third week in May. The date is to be announced.
WORKING FOR THE FUTURE- Welch Mayor Martha Moore (second from left) is pictured conversing with Main Street promoters, Sherry Mosko Covert and Marsha Geyer and Triad Engineer Joe Young during Wednesday’s meeting on the Main Street Program. (Photo by Cathy Patton)
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