(WCLU FILE PHOTO)
FRANKFORT – On Wednesday, the Heart of Scottsville was a big winner as Governor Andy Beshear joined leaders from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, along with state and local officials to celebrate another successful year of the Kentucky Main Street program. The Governor recognized 15 Kentucky Main Street communities and local leaders for their efforts to foster economic vitality and job creation through historic preservation.
In 2022 alone, Kentucky Main Street communities reported $47.9 million in investments in downtown commercial districts, 587 new jobs, 130 new businesses and 201 rehabilitation projects completed.
The Kentucky Heritage Council State Historic Preservation Office created the Kentucky Main Street program in 1979 to reverse the economic decline in central business districts. The program works to keep the commonwealth’s downtown areas thriving through the preservation of historic buildings, support of local businesses, redevelopment of commercial buildings and economic development.
The City of Scottsville racked up awards in three out of seven categories in the 2023 Main Street Awards, nearly sweeping the Spirit of Main Street category winning three of the four awards, and going home with five awards overall.
Allie Costello with Heart of Scottsville received an award for Volunteer of the Year.
For the Spirit of Main Street Awards, representing the Heart of Scottsville, Sherri Skaggs won for Individual; the Laura Goad Turner Charitable Foundation won the Charitable Foundation Award; and Scottsville Mayor David Burch won the Local Leader Award.
And in the Economic Vitality Category, representing Heart of Scottsville, Ada Oliver, of Oliver Creative, was chosen Entrepreneur of the Year.
The remaining Kentucky Main Street Communities among the 15 honored include Springfield, Beattyville, Carrollton, Maysville, LaGrange, Salyersville, Bardstown, Campbellsville, Middlesboro, Murray, Shelbyville, London, Paducah, and Tri-Cities Heritage – comprised of Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch.
Since the pandemic, the Kentucky Main Street program has invested $151.8 million in downtown commercial districts, created 972 new jobs and 102 new businesses, and completed 324 historic building rehabilitation projects.
