Culture

Tulsa’s Route 66 Main Street welcomes an ample number of tourists each year.

gural towns of Alva, Anadarko, Duncan, Okmulgee and Tahlequah were selected from numerous applicants, and one year later, ve additional towns joined. Duncan, Okmulgee and Tahlequah are still active participants in the Main Street Program over 35 years later.

In 1992, the program expanded to include both a Small Town and an Urban program, providing resources for communities with less than 5,000 people as well as larger cities with more than 50,000 people. Eventually, a third component was developed for Mid-Size cities, so no one was left without support. e program has continued to evolve, partnering with other state agencies to host annual events and conferences. ey have even pioneered Main Street Week. Other services include training in volunteer development, promotion, organization, visioning, work plan development, design assistance, business development, interior design consultation and reinvestment reports.

On the Horizon

In 2020, Kendall-Whittier Main Street Association in Tulsa won national recognition with the Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) from the National Main Street Center.

State Main Street Director Bu y Hughes was excited about this milestone.

“Of course, we were thrilled with an Oklahoma district gaining such prestigious recognition, but what I’m equally proud of is the ongoing work in so many cities. e people in these communities really want to do something to improve their downtown. I get excited when a start-up organization announces their rst facade grant, and it’s their enthusiasm which makes this work so ful lling.”

Hughes was also pleased to announce that they had hired a Route 66 Liaison, Kerry Barrick, who will be instrumental in working with the cities along Route 66 as the state approaches the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road in 2026. Additionally, the sta is working with Latinx communities, recruiting new cities, and incentivizing the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations in these districts. is will, in turn, help draw travelers o the interstate and into Oklahoma’s main street districts and towns.

Since its inception, the Oklahoma Main Street Center has generated more than $1.8 billion in total public and private reinvestment, created over 20,000 new jobs and helped in the development of 5,839 new or expanded small businesses. Cities which would like to gain access to the resources and support o ered by the Oklahoma Main Street Center can apply via the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website. JEFF THOMPSON

Yukon is a member of the Oklahoma Main Street Program.