Released on August 5, 2015
The Government of Saskatchewan has accepted five new communities into its Main Street Saskatchewan Program, a program designed to revitalize historic downtowns through a combination of government and private investment. The Humboldt Downtown Improvement District and North Lakes Economic Development Corp (Town of Spiritwood) have been accepted to the program’s top Accredited tier. The Carrot River Community Branding Committee, Redvers Regional Agricultural & Commercial Endeavours Committee and North Battleford Business Improvement District Corp have been accepted at the Affiliate level.The new communities join Swift Current, Melfort, Regina, Watrous, Kerrobert, Nipawin, Moose Jaw, Langenburg and Shellbrook which entered the program in 2014, and Prince Albert, Maple Creek, Indian Head and Wolseley, which entered in 2011 during the program’s pilot phase.
“Our government is pleased to welcome the new communities into the Main Street Saskatchewan Program,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “As the heart and soul of Saskatchewan’s communities, historic downtowns are important to our growth and well-being. They support cultural and economic development, attract tourists, and allow us to embrace the Saskatchewan story."
“On behalf of the Town of Spiritwood, I am thrilled to be part of Saskatchewan's Main Street program at the Accredited level,” Northern Lakes Economic Development Corporation Managing Director Bevra Fee said. “Our town has seen several significant and positive changes over the past year as an Affiliate, and we have many more ideas for implementing Main Street program initiatives. This is a very exciting day for Spiritwood!”
“We are very excited to take this next step of accreditation with the Main Street Saskatchewan program for continual revitalization of the historic downtown area,” Humboldt Downtown Business Improvement District Chairperson Dean Hergott said. “The program aligns with the Humboldt Downtown Business Improvement District’s vision of creating an inviting, vibrant downtown for people to shop, work and play.”
Main Street Saskatchewan is a community-driven revitalization program that uses the trademarked Main Street Four-Point Approach® of Community Organization, Economic Restructuring, Heritage Conservation/Design and Promotion to capitalize on the unique strengths of Saskatchewan’s historic downtowns. From 2011 to 2015, the first four communities to enter the program saw 132 jobs created, 43 business openings, $4.9 million committed to historic building and streetscape improvements, 44 historic buildings rehabilitated, $6.5 million in property acquisitions and more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time contributed to Main Street related activities.
Main Street Saskatchewan offers two tiers of participation. Top-tier Accredited communities fully commit to meeting the program’s high performance standards and receive the full package of program services. Up to two Accredited communities are selected each year via a competitive application process. Communities interested in learning about the Main Street Approach®, but not yet ready to commit to the full Accredited standards, can participate at the Affiliate level and receive a reduced level of services. There is no limit to the number of Affiliate communities that can be admitted, provided they meet certain minimum eligibility requirements. In addition to providing training and technical support, Main Street Saskatchewan will be distributing $619,000 in matching grant funds to participating communities from 2015 through 2017.
SaskCulture Inc. administers the Main Street Saskatchewan Grant Program through a partnership with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
To learn more about Main Street Saskatchewan, please visit www.pcs.gov.sk.ca/MainStreet.
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For more information, contact:
Taron Cochrane
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: taron.cochrane@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 639-571-7020