Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn visits Bloomington to welcome "Uniquely Bloomington!" into the Main Street family

BLOOMINGTON,IL - Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn will visit Bloomington to congratulate and welcome the organization "Uniquely Bloomington! " into the Main Street community that now totals 57 towns in the State of Illinois.

           

"Bloomington already had a strong presence prior to being inducted into the Illinois Main Street program this year," said Quinn.  "Now, Uniquely Bloomington! can partner with the Main Street program to create an even more vibrant downtown."

 

 Quinn saluted Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz for creating positive change in the downtown area and for lobbying for acceptance into the Main Street program.  She has been directly responsible for much of the redevelopment, restoration and revitalization of downtown Bloomington since taking office in 1997.

 

"Main Street is ideal for a community such as Bloomington," Quinn said, noting Bloomington's rich history.  "Main Street helps communities appreciate the treasures in their midst, and fosters a spirit of volunteerism, a sense of place and a new civic pride." 

 

Bloomington's businesses can benefit from architectural design services offered to Main Street communities through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.  Many buildings in downtown Bloomington have already undergone or are currently undergoing restoration through an active façade grant program of the Bloomington Preservation Commission. 

 

"Bloomington epitomizes uniqueness, which is imperative for igniting tourism and boosting the local economy in Bloomington," said Quinn, noting the array of distinctive stores that line the downtown district.  "This holiday season, residents of Bloomington and visitors far and wide can do their holiday shopping in a setting that is uniquely Bloomington," he said.

 

"I'm proud to have Bloomington as part of the Main Street family," said Quinn.  "Bloomington has a profound cultural heritage and can greatly benefit from the revitalization support of the Main Street program." 

 

The Lt. Governor's Office administers the Illinois Main Street program that offers communities help with 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. 

 

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 1,300 new downtown businesses, and created 2,892 full-time jobs and 2,053 part-time jobs.  Main Street projects have spurred more than $103 million in public improvements and more than $315 million in private reinvestments in their downtowns.