Press Release
Applications Available for the Certification in Professional Main Street™ Management Institute
(Washington, D.C., October 25, 2006) – Every year, the National Trust Main Street Center admits commercial district revitalization professionals to its Certification in Professional Downtown Management Institute. The Certification Institute aims to elevate the problem-solving skill level of professional working in the field of revitalization of revitalization in historic and older commercials districts.
Designed for seasoned professionals, participants must qualify to enter the Institute by passing an entrance exam. Once admitted, participants attend four intense educational sessions over a two-year period in February and the Trust’s headquarters. Participants must pass exams focusing on the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ to downtown revitalization—organization, design, promotion, and economic restructuring—before receiving the Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM) credentials. Institute graduates are recognized at the National Main Street Center’s annual conference held in the Spring.
Since its inception in 1989, over 200 commercial district revitalization professionals have graduated and are sought out by real estate development companies, economic development organizations and other employers seeking qualified professionals who have completed this rigorous training and certification process. For more information about the Certification Institute and the 2007 applications, visit www.mainstreet.org/certification, email NTSMCtraining@nthp.org or call (202) 588-6219.
Established in 1980, the National Trust’s National Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Active in over 1,700 downtowns and urban neighborhoods, the Main Street program has helped generate more than $31.5 billion in new investment. Participating communities have created 331,417 net new jobs, 72,387 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 178,727 buildings, leveraging an average of $23.31 in new investment for every dollar spent on main street district revitalization effort.