FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 13, 2013) — Kitty Watson Dougoud of Georgetown has been named the new statewide coordinator for the Kentucky Main Street Program (KYMS), administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office.
Dougoud has served as executive director of Historic Georgetown Inc. since 2007, reporting to a 22-member board responsible for all operational duties of the Georgetown Main Street Program. She has worked to maintain the community’s status as nationally accredited by the National Trust Main Street Center and a designated Kentucky Main Street Program; instituted community events including summertime concerts and art walks; and created The Georgetown Exchange, a blog and community calendar highlighting local history, preservation resources and community events. She has also served as a regional captain for the statewide program.
[pullquote_right]Since 1979, the Kentucky Main Street program, which encourages downtown revitalization, can document more than $3.6 billion in investment.[/pullquote_right]
Dougoud will begin in her new role effective Feb. 18. She replaces Becky Gorman, now a historic preservation specialist with Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services.
KYMS is the oldest statewide downtown revitalization organization in the nation. The organization’s goal is to encourage downtown revitalization, public-private partnerships and economic development within the context of historic preservation and the utilization of cultural assets. Since 1979, the program can document more than $3.6 billion in public-private investment throughout Kentucky. In 2011 alone, participating communities reported more than $177 million invested in downtowns, representing 481 net jobs in Main Street districts, 311 new businesses created, and 314 downtown buildings rehabilitated.
“This is a key position for the agency at a critical time in the statewide program,” said Lindy Casebier, Kentucky Heritage Council acting executive director. “In these tight economic times, communities are forced to cut budgets, so we have to reinforce with local, state and federal policymakers that preserving and reusing downtown buildings can have a huge economic impact by drawing people and new businesses to the central business district, generating a climate of investment that benefits surrounding communities.”
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