City of Elyria designated an official Ohio Main Street Community

Columbus, Ohio - Downtown Ohio Inc. announced the City of Elyria as one of the newest communities to the Ohio Main Street Program. Bellefontaine, Cambridge, Harrison, Troy, Van Wert and Wooster were also chosen through a competitive application process.

The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by D.O.I., is modeled after the National Trust Main Street Center's comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization. Benefits of this program include renewed vitality of the downtown area along with enhanced economic performance. Today, the Main Street Program has been instituted in 43 states and over 1,787 communities. Nationwide, it has also helped create 231,682 net jobs and opened 57,470 net new businesses.

"This is Elyria's first try at obtaining designation, in fact no one has ever gotten designated on the first attempt," said Main Street Elyria's Executive Director, Lesia Boytchuk-Schneider. "The selection process is highly competitive and our application was a whoping 361 page documemt! This was a labor of love from a diverse cross section of our community and it augers well for how Elyrians are determined to revitalize their historic downtown."

Joseph Ferut, Chair of Main Street Elyria commented; " I am grateful to all of those who have in their own way supported and donated their time and talents towards achieving this prestigious designation. Main Street Elyria appreciates the financial support of its private contributors and especially the City of Elyria, the County Commissioners and the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain. We are ready to move to the next level of revitalizing our historic district. As the owner of a downtown business, I am constantly reminded of the special qualities of Elyria; its historic architecture, a marvelous public space Ely Square, and the incredibly beautiful East Falls. I also have wonderful childhood memories of a vibrant downtown with shops, theatres and most importantly lots of people! As Chairperson of Main Street Elyria I desire that this vibrancy return and I am confidant that the Main Street Program, when implemented with the support of the community, will make this wish come true".

"We are looking forward to receiving technical assistance and training which includes volunteer and program director training, marking and promotion, business recruitment, market analysis, design, historic preservation and fundraising. Our future plans in 2004 are to set forth a strategic three-year downtown business plan, image building, membership drive and promotion with the aide of D.O.I.", stated Boytchuk-Schneider.

Main Street Elyria, a non-profit organization, was formed in 1998, whose mission is "to make Historic Downtown Elyria the Vibrant Heart of the City", by enhancing the economic development, promotion, marketing and planning of the downtown business district. The downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has 112 buildings with 126 businesses. Elyria has a population of 56,000 and is the seat of Lorain County.

For further information contact the Main Street Elyria office at (440) 322-5000