Durant Main Street is celebrating Oklahoma Main Street week Oct. 11-17. The organization is pleased to announce they completed 12 successful years in operation this June.

Cindi Gill, Board President, is proud of the program’s accomplishments.

“We topped 49,000 volunteer hours in 1997-2009,” Gill said. “The value of this is over $900,000 based on the national average of value of a volunteer worker. I think this speaks well of the people of our area. Without volunteers and the support of the city and other partners, our outdoor ice skating rink would not have been possible last year.”

Oklahoma Main Street Director Linda Barnett has publicly said that Durant has the “best organization committee in the state.”

This committee is responsible for fundraising, membership, and volunteers. While many programs are not able to meet budget and struggle to keep the doors open, Durant’s committee has allowed the program to thrive by putting together a fundraising program based on a variety of resources.

Fundraisers include fireworks, bowling, banners, fishing and bullriding. Program Manager Donna Dow appreciates everyone for their support of these efforts.

“Businesses sponsor our activities, and people participate,” Dow said. “We are thankful for everyone who plays a role in every event.”

Downtown Durant has a high rate of occupancy. The business climate facilitated by the organization allows downtown businesses to excel. Total private sector reinvestment in downtown properties since June 1997 is $10,046,234 while public/private totals $12,198,394.

In 2009, Durant was presented the Four Point Award at the Oklahoma Main Street Banquet in Oklahoma City. The accomplishment was based upon the outdoor ice skating rink as it touched on aspects of the overall program as designed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Durant was only the second recipient of the prestigious award in Oklahoma Main Street’s history.

A sampling of accomplishments during the 2008-09 year include: Assisted city in completion of Phase III Streetscape, was awarded the opportunity to host a Smithsonian Exhibit at the Three Valley Museum, held quarterly coffees to keep downtown business owners informed, worked with city to receive funding approval for Phase IV Streetscape, continued Music on Market Square (weekly free concert series during May through September) and continued working with Durant High School Service Learning Project to encourage youth involvement in community.

For more information, contact Durant Main Street at (580) 924-1550 or visit the program online at www.durantmainstreet.org, Facebook or on Twitter. The office is located at 110 N. Second Ave. in downtown Durant.