Program Promotes Historic & Economic Redevelopment of Traditional Business Districts
TRENTON, N.J. – December 27, 2007 – Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA), Acting Commissioner Joseph Doria today announced the newest members of DCA’s Main Street New Jersey Program. They are Caldwell Borough, Maple Shade Township, Montclair Township, Newton Town, the City of Orange and Somerville Borough.
“The Main Street Program is a unique tool that can help municipalities across the state,” said Commissioner Doria. “I congratulate these six towns for their initiative to revitalize the heart of their communities and provide better lives for their residents and more commerce for their businesses by working with the Main Street program.”
Main Street New Jersey is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey. Every two years the DCA accepts applications and designates selected communities to join the program. These communities receive valuable technical support and training to assist in restoring their Main Streets as centers of community and economic activity.The program helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources.
Newton and Somerville received the Traditional MSNJ designation, while Caldwell, Maple Shade, Montclair and Orange received the Partner level designation. Traditional designations are given to towns that are ranked the highest during the application process and already have full time staffing for the downtown. Partner designations are given to towns whose focus will mostly be on organization, development, growth and awareness in the initial year. Pending successful review after the first year, Partners can then move up to Traditional designation.
Applications for the Main Street Program were reviewed and ranked by a panel consisting of members from numerous state agencies and current local MSNJ Executive Directors from successful local Main Street programs. The applications were ranked based on how well they fit into the following six categories: Public and Private Sector Understanding, Cooperation, & Financial Capacity; Local Organizational Readiness; Physical & Historic Character of Core Built Environment & Efforts to Preserve and Enhance; Need for Downtown Revitalization and Potential for Effecting Positive Change; Municipal Government Profile/Past Efforts; Community Profile.
For more information regarding Main Street New Jersey, call 609-633-9769, or log on to http://www.state.nj.us/dca/osg/resources/msnj/index.shtml.
