It’s official: Fernandina Beach named Florida Main Street Community

Florida Department of State Press Release
September 1, 2015 10:00 a.m.

DOS

On August 25, 2015, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced the designation of Crystal River and Fernandina Beach as Florida Main Street communities. Main Street designation offers a comprehensive strategy from the statewide Florida Main Street Program to support local revitalization and historic preservation efforts.

“As the Florida Main Street Program celebrates its 30th anniversary, I am proud to welcome Crystal River and Fernandina Beach as the two newest Main Street communities,” said Secretary Detzner. “Crystal River, known for its beautiful springs and manatee population, and Fernandina Beach, known for its stunning coastline, are an important part of Florida’s historic legacy.  Both communities will be tremendous assets to Florida Main Street.”

Secretary Detzner’s designation is based on the August 6, 2015 recommendation of the six-member ad hoc Florida Main Street Advisory Committee. Organizations represented on the Advisory Committee included the Florida Division of Historical Resources, Chattahoochee Main Street, Inc., Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 1000 Friends of Florida, Florida Redevelopment Association, and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

Crystal River is located on Florida’s central west coast and today has a population of 3,100 residents. Best known as “Home of the Manatees,” Crystal River annually welcomes more than a half millions tourists who are attracted to the pristine springs and swimming with the manatees.

Fernandina Beach is located in the northern most corner of Florida on Amelia Island. The town of Fernandina Beach, named for King Ferdinand VII of Spain, celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2011. The Historic District of Fernandina Beach is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

rediscovercollagejpg

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 45 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul. Since the program’s inception in 1985, the Florida Main Street programs have cumulatively created 24,604 jobs, 7,337 new businesses and produced $2.45 billion in reinvestment.

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

chuck
chuck(@bob)
8 years ago

The Historic Fernandina Business Association, that has been the leader-volunteer organization for the downtown businesses for over 30 years, is excited to help the new Main Street Program get started. We are looking forward to working with the manager soon.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago

Congratulations to all the groups and individuals that worked to make this happen. This will be an investment in the business community that is sure to pay off.

Marlene Chapman
Marlene Chapman(@crew2120)
8 years ago

This is great! Let’s get started promoting our downtown!!

Charles Pantino
Charles Pantino (@guest_43961)
8 years ago

Amelia Island, Nassau County, Fla. The best kept secret in the USA. My cousin in AZ. he knows. I talk with others, I say Fernandina Beach. They say, I didn’t know you’re in California.