This Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will join with local and state officials to announce Berwyn�s Associate Level status in the Illinois Main Street program �From Berwyn�s historic brick bungalows built along its tree-lined streets to its bustling financial institutions � Berwyn is a diverse community with a welcoming business environment,� Quinn said" "The Berwyn Main Street Foundation is working hard to increase investment and employment opportunities, and the Illinois Main Street program will give Berwyn an added edge.� Berwyn�s convenient location � just minutes from Chicago�s lively Loop business district � may be its greatest asset. Residents have easy access to main transportation hubs and, in return, tourists can easily travel along the many major arteries and corridors leading to the unique shopping, dining and entertainment that Berwyn provides. The historic charm of Berwyn is certainly matched by the resiliency of its residents who have fueled significant changes and improvements to the city, with many more changes on the horizon. Residents and visitors alike can celebrate the city at events like Berwyn�s Houby Day Festival in October and the Festival of Lights in December. And more than 1,200 people joined in the fun during Berwyn�s first-ever Great American Mutt Show in May. �Berwyn is another example of how hard work, volunteerism and dedication can keep a strong community going,� Quinn said. Quinn will be joined by Berwyn Mayor Michael O�Connor and Berwyn Main Street Foundation Board President Michelle Skryd. The Lt. Governor�s Office administers the Illinois Main Street program that is based on a national model that offers communities help with issues such as downtown improvements, historic preservation and economic development. Illinois is one of 40 states that belong to the National Main Street Program, administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are now 67 communities in the Illinois Main Street program.
Illinois Main Street represents one of the state's most effective public-private partnerships for economic development and community renewal. Since its inception, designated communities have reported net gains of more than 1,600 new downtown businesses and created more than 6,000 new full and part-time jobs. The Main Street program has spurred the reinvestment of more than $575 million in Main Street downtowns. For more information about the Illinois Main Street program, please visit: www.IllinoisMainStreet.org. |