Paris - Main Street

Renaissance on Main - A Downtown Revitalization Project

In recent years, the Kentucky Main Street Program and Renaissance Kentucky helped Paris to make many improvements to its downtown area, including brick-lined sidewalks, antique-looking light poles, decorative planters and benches, awnings, and facade updates.
The Renaissance/Main Street Program is now called Renaissance on Main, and is administered through the Governor's Office for Local Development (GOLD). Renaissance on Main seeks to

The four point approach of the Main Street Program:
1. Organization - The Main Street Manager (a part-time position for a city the size of Paris) must nurture a public-private partnership including city government, a board of directors, downtown merchants and landlords, the Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers. There must be a Plan of Work with measurable goals, including fundraising efforts.

2. Economic Restructuring - Includes a market analysis, business retention and recruitment efforts, local workshops and training sessions, and a marketing package.

3. Design - Includes a local building inventory, design guidelines, statistics on rehabilitations, improvements, new housing units, etc.

4. Promotion - Local brochures, festivals and events, newsletters and press releases, and web site development.

For more information, visit this website: http://heritage.ky.gov/mainstreet/

reward communities that take steps to revitalize and maintain vibrant, economically sound development in Kentucky's downtown areas.
Paris was previously designated as a "Silver City," and as such was eligible to apply for certain grants. Under the new regime, Paris is now considered a Certified Renaissance City and is eligible to apply for certain grants.