Mainstreet Piqua, Inc has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. The accreditation meeting was held on Tuesday and involved over 20 Mainstreet Piqua volunteers including board members and committee chairs. “We have an extraordinary volunteer base,” says Mainstreet Piqua Executive Director Lorna Swisher. “The representatives we had here today for our accreditation hearing are just a few of the folks who help to make downtown Piqua a great place to visit, shop and enjoy.”
Mainstreet Piqua is a non-profit organization, which focuses on the development and promotion of the downtown Piqua’s historic district. Each year the organization voluntarily goes through an evaluation process that is coordinated by Heritage Ohio. As a result of the evaluation Piqua has once again achieved State and National Accreditation as a certified National Main Street Program for 15 years in a row.
Mainstreet Piqua is responsible for a number of projects in the Piqua community including downtown beautification, the Piqua Community Farmers Market, Taste of the Arts and many other events and programs.
The 2016 Mainstreet Piqua board of trustees is chaired by Cathy Oda (Koverman Staley Dickerson Insurance), the vice chair is Joe Hinds (Unity National Bank), the treasurer is Vicki Burke (Unity National Bank), secretary is Jim Henestoefel and past chair is Bert Harrison from Barclay’s Men’s-Women’s Clothier. Other board members include Peggy Wiggins (Edison Community College), Lisa Whitaker (PSC Crane and Rigging), Ryan King (Can’t Stop Running), Amber Lange (The French Oil Mill Machinery Company), Jim Hemmert, Mary Teach (Tapestry Angel), Bob Greaser (City of Piqua), Robin Heintz (Piqua Public Library), Scott Miller (Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce) and Jackie Shinall (Miami County AAA).
Mainstreet Piqua is supported by the City of Piqua along with banks, manufacturers, corporations and small businesses throughout the Piqua Community. “We are able to accomplish so much because of the extraordinary support we receive from throughout the Piqua community.” Says Mainstreet Piqua director Lorna Swisher. “In addition to our commercial supports we also have a large number of individual and family supporters through Friends of Mainstreet Piqua.”
“There are literally thousands of Main Street programs throughout the country but a relatively small number of them are Nationally accredited” says Swisher. “Our program is a direct reflection of our community, and I believe Piqua is a very special place.” says Swisher.
