PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Byrd Designates Brooksville Main Street as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Brooksville Main Street has been designated the December 2022 Florida Main Street Program of the Month.

“I am delighted to recognize Brooksville Main Street as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month,” said Secretary Byrd. “This historic city on a hill is an excellent example of how to create a sense of community that appeals to every generation.”

Photo courtesy of Brooksville Main Street

Established in 2017, Brooksville Main Street is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Brooksville the best version of itself for businesses, residents, and all lovers of the small city. One of their first projects was to transform downtown during the holiday season. They started with a 30-foot tall tree at the Hernando County Courthouse and have added more elements each year. Brooksville Main Street also hosts free events throughout the season, providing multiple memory-making opportunities for participants.

Photo courtesy of Brooksville Main Street Board member Emilio Vergara

“What Brooksville Main Street has been able to accomplish in a short five years seems magical, but it really is the hard work of hundreds of volunteers deeply committed to our hometown,” said Natalie Kahler, Brooksville Main Street’s Executive Director. “A donor the other day told me there is a spirit of giving over Brooksville right now. I couldn’t agree more – a spirit of giving of our time, talent and treasure is in the air. It’s beyond rewarding to be involved at this moment in this city – and I believe we will look back at this time in Brooksville as one of pivotal positive placemaking.”

Brooksville Main Street hosts other popular events during the year, such as the Brooksville Blueberry Festival, the Florida Mermaid Trail Festival, and Founders’ Week. They have also created two popular walking trails, the Florida Mermaid Trail and TourBVL, which have both won awards from Florida’s Secretary of State during the annual Preservation on Main Street Conference.

Since 2017, Brooksville Main Street has reported approximately $9,176,635 in public and private reinvestments and welcomed 30 net new businesses to the district. Volunteers have served over 16,739 hours to make their success possible.

For more information on Brooksville Main Street, visit WeLoveBVL.org, on Facebook.com/BrooksvilleMainStreet, or Instagram at Instagram.com/BrooksvilleMainStreet.

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or Facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

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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 59 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.