St. Cloud is state’s Main Street Program of the Month

  • St. Cloud is state’s Main Street Program of the Month
    St. Cloud is state’s Main Street Program of the Month

Secretary of State Cord Byrd has announced that St. Cloud Main Street has been designated the March 2024 Florida Main Street Program of the Month.

St. Cloud Main Street’s mission is to preserve the context of the historic preservation of the town, specifically it’s downtown, while encouraging economic development within and around it.

“We are proud to be known as the Soldier City and to continue to promote our humble beginnings,” said Paula Stark, who is the Executive Director of St. Cloud Main Street while serving as the city’s state House of Representatives member of district 47.

“Our successes would not be possible without the many community leaders who over the years have participated on boards, on committees, and as volunteers. We have truly been blessed beyond measure to have our wonderful downtown, businesses and partners who over and over come together for the betterment of our community.

“And I’m always proud of our organization when they receive recognition.”

Established in 1999, St. Cloud Main Street has carried on its mission to promote downtown and the surrounding area through historic preservation. Over the 25 years, St. Cloud Main Street has seen 308 net businesses added to the program area, providing 718 net jobs. The total amount of public and private investment dollars in the Main Street district is just short of $25 million, the organization said.

“St. Cloud’s roots run deep with community pride, dating back to its inception as a veteran’s colony over 100 years ago,” said Secretary Byrd. “With a commitment of setting St. Cloud on a course toward prosperity, St. Cloud Main Street has spent the last 25 years honoring the spirit of those brave soldiers and protecting the community’s history and historic structures.”

As part of the downtown historical preservation, Main Street has obtained seven Florida Historical Markers and four National Register of Historic Places designations, including the Heritage Museum, the GAR Hall, St. Cloud Depot, and the Downtown Historic District. Fourteen murals have been added to the Florida Mural Trail to help visually tell the story of St. Cloud’s history.