February 24, 2010 -- Two additional Oklahoma communities have been selected as Main Street Communities, bringing the state total of participants to 43. Bartlesville and the Kendall Whittier District in Tulsa are the newest members to the Oklahoma Main Street Program, a comprehensive revitalization effort that provides communities with tools to improve their historic central and neighborhood business district areas. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce operates the Main Street Program.

"These two communities went through a rigorous process and have demonstrated the  commitment to achieving increased economic development in their area, while keeping their historic elements intact," said Natalie Shirley, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism.

The Oklahoma Main Street program is designed to assist communities across the state in the historic preservation and economic development of their commercial core. As part of the Oklahoma Main Street Program, the communities will receive technical assistance in four areas based on the Main Street Four Point Approach of Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring.

"Main Street staff will be spending a lot of time in Northeast Oklahoma in the next year training these two new, diverse and promising communities the Main Street Approach to economic development," said Linda Barnett, Director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center. "We are proud of the success of the Oklahoma Main Street Program in Oklahoma. Each one of these communities has created new revenue and new jobs for their business districts and their citizens."

State Senator John Ford said "distinctive historical buildings, such as the Price Tower, and the cultural heritage of the city, Bartlesville has a unique foundation for the Main Street Program and downtown revitalization process" in support of the Bartlesville application.

State Representative Seneca Scott endorsed the Kendall Whittier community application, saying "once home to Route 66, the Kendall Whittier community has built itself up from the ashes of disinvestment, capitalizing on its cultural and artistic heritage. Many small family retailers provide the area with access to vital services and employment."

Since 1986, more than 60 participating Oklahoma Main Street communities have generated more than $717 million in total public and private reinvestment, created more than 12,000 new jobs and helped in the development of almost 4,000 new or expanded small businesses.

For more information about the Main Street Program please contact the Oklahoma Main Street Center at (405) 815-5379 or visit www.OKcommerce.gov/mainstreet.