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A RESOLUTION honoring the work of the Kentucky Main Street Program and its 1
participating communities. 2
WHEREAS, in 1979, the Kentucky Main Street Program was developed by the 3
Kentucky Heritage Council to address the economic decline experienced by many of 4
Kentucky's downtown business districts, and is the oldest statewide Main Street 5
revitalization program in the nation; and 6
WHEREAS, the goal of the Kentucky Main Street Program is to encourage 7
downtown revitalization and economic development within the context of historic 8
preservation, adaptive reuse, and preserving existing assets of architecturally and 9
historically significant buildings; and 10
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic stunted the economy in mid-March of 2020, 11
and caused Kentucky Main Street communities to lose jobs and businesses; and 12
WHEREAS, local Main Street directors were essential to helping businesses adapt 13
to COVID-19 restrictions by creating open-air retail and dining spaces, shifting to online 14
sales, and applying for financial aid; and 15
WHEREAS, participating programs reported a cumulative $60,500,000 of 16
investment in downtown commercial districts, 548 net new jobs, 130 net new businesses, 17
and 201 historic building rehabilitation projects; and 18
WHEREAS, the Kentucky Main Street Program has generated nearly $4.7 billion in 19
investments throughout the Commonwealth; and 20
WHEREAS, the Kentucky Main Street Program and local Main Street 21
organizations played a vital role helping small businesses through the COVID-19 22
pandemic and are committed to supporting businesses in a changing economy; and 23
WHEREAS, the Main Street approach advocates self-reliance, local empowerment, 24
and for the rebuilding of downtown areas based on traditional assets like distinctive 25
architecture, historic character, pedestrian-friendly environments, personal service, 26
locally-owned businesses, and a sense of place; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1015
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WHEREAS, the Kentucky Main Street Program is administered by the Kentucky 1
Heritage Council and utilizes the grassroots methodology of the Main Street America 2
Program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation; and 3
WHEREAS, local Main Street programs benefit from services and technical 4
assistance provided by the Kentucky Heritage Council, including assistance with 5
architectural design and applying for historic rehabilitation tax credits, the National 6
Register of Historic Places, and grant programs; and 7
WHEREAS, Kentucky Main Street programs are locally administered and funded 8
through private investment partnered with public support to address issues that face main 9
streets as a business district and as a community's center of activity; and 10
WHEREAS, by converting unoccupied and underutilized buildings into revenue-11
producing businesses, the Kentucky Main Street Program increases the tax revenue, 12
creates jobs, improves property values, keeps a community's money circulating within the 13
community, and re-establishes downtown as the heart of a community; and 14
WHEREAS, a healthy, vibrant downtown attracts new businesses, industries, and 15
residents, while instilling pride in the community, enhancing quality of life, and 16
increasing heritage tourism; 17
NOW, THEREFORE, 18
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 19
Kentucky: 20
Section 1. The Senate hereby honors the work of the Kentucky Main Street 21
Program and its significant economic impact throughout the Commonwealth, especially 22
during the COVID-19 pandemic. 23
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day it does so in honor of the 24
Kentucky Main Street Program and participating communities. 25
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 26
Resolution to the Kentucky Heritage Council, 410 High Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1015
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