Newton Citizen

CONYERS - Less than 14 months after earning its designation as a Main Street City, Conyers has been recognized for its Main Street Program's accreditation as a 2008 National Main Street Program.

The program was honored after meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.

"Being recognized by the National Trust Main Street Center is validation of our efforts in Olde Town Conyers through Conyers Main Street Program projects like the upcoming community art gallery and the expansion of the Thai Palace to a new location on Main Street," said Mayor Randy Mills.

Conyers joins more than 700 other Main Street revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street Program methodology.

The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with coordinating Main Street programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the trust's 10 basic performance standards. Conyers' performance was evaluated by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Office of Downtown Development, the coordinating organization for Main Street Programs in Georgia.

According to a press release, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. For more information on the National Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

For more information on the Conyers Main Street Program, visit www.conyersmainstreet.com or call Main Street Manager Monica Coffin at 770-929-4239.