Tue Feb 09 2010
By TODD HELBERG
Local officials' efforts to obtain status from a state downtown revitalization group came to fruition last week.
Heritage Ohio, based in Columbus, announced Thursday that Defiance has been granted "Main Street" designation. The award culminates some two years of planning, led most recently by the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau (DDVB), and figures to bolster downtown revitalization efforts.
"This really all began in full force two years ago when Janet Hitchcock suggested to the community, along with Pete Lundberg, that we look seriously at the Main Street program," said DDVB's downtown development director, Rita Kissner, who will now be known as the Main Street director. "I am incredibly grateful for their foresight."
The designation will be officially conferred upon the local group at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus. Kissner -- who was Defiance mayor from 1992-2000 -- said she and DDVB director Cindy Mack will attend while DDVB board members may go as well.
"None of the things we have accomplished could have been done without Cindy Mack and our ability to work so well together," Kissner said.
"I don't know anybody who can know how hard we worked to make this happen," said Mack. "And, how much our hearts went into this for the community. She (Kissner) was retired ... and what she has done with the community and make this happen is a big deal. It's certainly out of love for the community. I feel like everyone has won."
According to Kissner, Main Street designation will allow the downtown to tap into resources by the state Heritage Ohio organization. And, it will also make Defiance more eligible for grants to improve the downtown area.
"The Main Street designation allows you to tap into the state organization for education and training on business development, building rehabilitation and downtown development in general," explained Kissner. "Also, when you are a Main Street community you have a greater chance for grants because the state wants to give money to communities who have proven to be successful."
City Hall teamed with DDVB in October to apply for a $400,000 state downtown revitalization grant. Kissner said she expects Main Street designation to bolster the city's chance to receive this money.
The CDBG grant award also will be announced on Dec. 13.
"We understand that the director of the CDBG grant is also on the board of Main Street, so she knows we are a new Main Street community," said Kissner. "That will help us on the grant."
Kissner was very complimentary of DDVB's board members who include Scott Stambaugh, Lundberg, Lea Ann Hayes, Bob Armstrong, Tim Small, Steve VanDemark, Kristen Nusbaum, Rebecca Sweinhagen, Randy Wright and Terry Melton.
"We have a fabulous board of directors who have been so influential in getting us to where we are," praised Kissner, who also named Defiance attorney Erin Strausbaugh for helping "us obtain 501(c)3 status (for a non-profit organization).
"I'm so excited about the cooperation we have had from the whole community," continued Kissner. "It shows that Defiance is a great place. We have so much potential in the downtown and in the community. Nothing makes me happier than working with the people in Defiance."
Four of eight communities which had applied for Main Street designation were successful. The other three include Perrysburg, Medina and Warren.
All totaled, Ohio now has 39 Main Street communities.
The only other Main Street community in the Defiance six-county area is Bryan.
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