Posted May 15, 2009

Alan Levin, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, joined members of Rehoboth Beach Main Street to celebrate the organization’s receipt of the Great American Main Street Award today. The award, which recognizes exemplary downtowns and commercial districts, is a prestigious honor for Rehoboth and a mark of distinction for the town’s local businesses.

Once a seasonal resort community best known as the “Nation’s Summer Capital” because of its popularity among Washington politicians and their staff, Rehoboth Beach is today a “Year ‘Round Beach Town,” with events and businesses that attract residents and visitors throughout the year.

“I am proud to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements of Rehoboth Beach Main Street’s staff and volunteers who have propelled this town to receive pre-eminent national recognition as a Great American Main Street winner,” said DEDO Director Alan Levin.

The Great American Main Street Award is based on criteria ranging from the amount of active public and private sector involvement in the town to the quality of its long-term achievements. The award takes into account a town’s commitment to historic preservation, its ability to successfully foster small businesses development, and its evolving track record of successful commercial district revitalization. It also considers the level of community support a town receives for its revitalization efforts as well as the economic impact of those efforts. A comprehensive program, with activity in all four points of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization, is a key factor in determining the Great American Main Street Award winner.

Main Street of Rehoboth Beach has established deep roots in the community and the state. By encouraging small businesses to embrace the four-point approach which includes design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization, Rehoboth’s Main Street has developed a strong foundation on which to base its growth.