The Vicksburg Main Street Program, in its 25th year, has been named a 2009 Accredited National Main Street Program by the National Trust Main Street Center and the Mississippi Main Street Association.

Vicksburg, along with 650 other Main Street programs nationwide, met a set of 10 standards to receive accreditation. Criteria include garnering community support for downtown revitalization, having a clear vision and mission statement and working for historic preservation. The Mississippi Main Street Association judged Vicksburg’s program based on specifications set by the National Trust Main Street Center.

“This is a big honor,” said Kim Hopkins, director of Vicksburg Main Street.

Besides showing that the Vicksburg program meets the national criteria, the accreditation puts it in a network with other 2009 Accredited National Main Street Programs.

Vicksburg Main Street is led by 10 board members, and its full membership comprises downtown businesses in the taxing district. In addition, businesses within and outside the taxing district can become sponsors by giving money, which is then used for advertising and hosting events. The program has about 30 sponsors.

Vicksburg Main Street coordinates projects such as Hit the Bricks, during which downtown and other merchants extend their business hours; the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, in it second summer; and other events.

In its latest effort to boost downtown, Main Street board members are tossing around the possibility of bringing an ice skating rink to downtown for the Christmas holiday season.

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Contact Andrea Vasquez at avasquez@vicksburgpost.com