In hundreds of cities and towns throughout the United States, civic leaders are working to bring life back to Main Street. Whether it's the major downtown corridor in a small town or the commercial center of a larger city, Main Street is being rediscovered. As they work to reinforce and rekindle the economic vitality and values that Main Street stands for, communities are utilizing the Main Street approach to community revitalization, and in North Carolina, communities are turning to the North Carolina Main Street Center (NCMSC) for assistance.

Early each year, the NCMSC organizes a conference for Main Street stakeholders, including government officials, not-for-profits and private individuals. The conference features plenary sessions, breakout sessions, social events and an awards ceremony. Conference attendance has averaged 400 people over the past 3 years. This year, Rocky Mount's Imperial Centre was selected to host the conference. Since attendees come from all over the state (as well as neighboring states,) accommodation will be needed. We expect that as many as 175 rooms will be needed for Wednesday, January 30th and Thursday, January, 31st, 2008.

For more information, you can download last year's conference guide from Morganton here: http://www.dca.commerce.state.nc.us/mainst/2007Booklet.pdf.

---

On October 9, 2006, the Rocky Mount City Council adopted the ordinance designating a portion of the Rocky Mount Central City National Historic District as a Local Historic Overlay District. The City zoning code protects a local historic district's assets by establishing a special design review process which assures the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness. This process ensures that proposed work is compatible with the nature of the historic property and contributes to the character of the historic district as a whole.

Plans for exterior alterations, new construction, demolitions, or moving of buildings are reviewed before any work may begin and the building permit is issued. This includes plans for additions to existing buildings, removal or enclosure of storefronts, erection of signs, and the addition of retaining walls and fences.

The Rocky Mount Historic Preservation Commission is charged with overseeing all exterior changes in a local district. The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Committee Room (3rd Floor) at City Hall. The public is invited to attend these meetings.