THC commissioners and staff with signs that will be installed in Killeen and Borger as part of their Texas Main Street designations. (L to R: THC Historic Preservation Officer Brad Patterson; THC Commissioners Gilbert “Pete” Peterson and Garrett Donnelly; THC CHD Director Linda Henderson and THC Commissioner Robert D. “Dick” Tips)
AUSTIN – Two Texas communities are stepping onto the state’s main stage for downtown revitalization. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has designated Killeen and Borger as the newest official Texas Main Street cities, a distinction that connects them to a statewide network focused on preserving local character while catalyzing economic growth.
The announcement came during THC’s quarterly commission meeting in College Station on November 7. Beginning January 1, both cities will join 80 Texas communities already committed to breathing new life into their historic downtowns
Since its launch in 1981, the Texas Main Street Program has helped 177 communities generate more than $6.5 billion in reinvestment while creating over 50,000 jobs and 12,900 small businesses. This program uses Main Street America’s proven Four-Point Approach—combining organization, economic vitality, design and promotion to engage communities, to boost local economies, and strengthen a place-based identity.
Participation gives Killeen and Borger access to a wide range of services and technical expertise from the THC, including design and historic preservation, planning, economic development, organizational management, and training. The Texas Main Street Program is affiliated with Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street approach implements community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable framework for downtown transformation that is easily tailored to local conditions.
Both cities earned this designation after successfully participating in the First Street Initiative, which helps communities prepare for full Main Street status.
For more information on the Texas Main Street Program, contact State Coordinator Amy Hammons at 512-463-5758 or visit thc.texas.gov/mainstreet. To learn more about the First Street Initiative, go to thc.texas.gov/firststreet.