Secretary Detzner Designates Two New Main Street Communities

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today 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 30^th 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 200^th anniversary in 2011. The Historic District of Fernandina Beach is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   

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About Florida Main Street

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.