TTCA Welcomes the City of Richmond Into the California Main Street Program.

News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2002

The Official Designation of Richmond as a California

Main Street District Means the State Will Assist the City

in Revitalizing an Older Commercial District

The California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency (TTCA) today announced the designation of downtown Richmond as an official California Main Street District.

The Richmond Main Street Initiative, Inc. (RMSI) joins a network of 38 cities, towns, and urban districts throughout the state as a member of the California Main Street Program. These communities share a common goal of bringing together a broad segment of their community dedicated to traditional commercial district revitalization and building stronger communities that enhance the economic, social, and cultural well-being of all citizens.

"By joining our family of Main Street Districts, the City of Richmond has taken an important step to realizing the revitalization of its downtown commercial district," said TTCA Secretary Lon S. Hatamiya. "The Richmond Main Street Initiative is well on its way to developing a successful revitalization program that will improve the district's economic vitality and ensure its historic place as the heart of the community."

Richmond's designation as a Certified California Main Street District validates the community's long-term commitment to pursue and achieve excellence in the comprehensive revitalization of its downtown commercial district using the Four-Point Main Street Approach(TM) developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center.

"There is a high level of enthusiasm and energy shared among our Richmond Main Street Initiative Board of Directors, committee volunteers, city officials, downtown businesses and area residents," said RMSI Executive Director Renee Hill. "This synergy has been instrumental throughout the certification process and will continue to play a large role in the success of our program."

The California Main Street Program is also based on the Four-Point model that focuses on organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring of downtown commercial districts. More than 1,700 communities nationwide have undertaken similar programs. California is one of 41 states with active statewide Main Street programs. The mission of California Main Street is to build strong community-based organizations in diverse cities, towns and neighborhoods that enhance the economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being of the state's traditional commercial districts.

Since its inception in 1985, California Main Street has assisted in the creation of more than 6,887 businesses and has helped create 24,508 new jobs in participating communities. In addition, California Main Street communities have invested $184 million in public design improvements through 515 projects, and $262 million in private facade and building investment through 3,214 projects.

As a certified Main Street community, Richmond will join a network of 38 participating California Main Street cities including: Alameda (2), Arcata, Benicia, Berkeley, Coronado, Davis, Dinuba, El Cajon, Encinitas, Eureka, Fairfield, Fremont, Fresno, Grass Valley, Hanford, Hollister, Lakeport, Lindsay, Livermore, Los Angeles (2), Martinez, Monterey, Oakland (2), Oceanside, Paso Robles, Pleasanton, Salinas, San Diego (2), San Luis Obispo, Turlock, Ukiah, Upland, Vallejo, and Vista.

The California Main Street Program offers participating communities a host of benefits ranging from on-site training in effective commercial district revitalization, technical assistance, consulting services, networking activities, and site assessments. For more information, visit www.CaliforniaMainStreet.ca.gov.

The California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency serves as the state's principal catalyst for innovation, investment and economic opportunity, enhancing the quality of life for all Californians.

Visit http://commerce.ca.gov for more information.

Editors Note: The Richmond Main Street Initiative, Inc. organizers are available for comments, including Board Member Janet Johnson, [e-mail], 510-307-8131; or Executive Director Renee Hill and President Robert Raymer, at RSMI, 312 9th Street, Suite 205, Richmond, California 94801, [phone].