Springtime on Broad Street in Milford

MILFORD - The Pike County Economic Development Authority announced a partnership with the Milford business community to publicize Milford as a Heritage Travel destination.  Last year, PCEDA purchased a membership in the Main Street Network, a membership program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which facilitates communication regarding the cumulative experiences of other organizations working to strengthen downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, with the objective of obtaining and disseminating information within Pike County on revitalization efforts and best practices of downtowns across the nation, some of which may be replicable here.   

Through that membership, PCEDA was offered this opportunity to participate in the Heritage Travel destination program which is offered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The membership afforded a 50% discount on the cost of participating in the program.  The Milford Business Council, with the generous participation of the Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County, partnered with PCEDA to fully fund the initiative for the next two years.  Participating businesses include the Bloomgarten Building, Broad Street Alley, Century 21 Roy B. Hull, Davis R. Chant Realtors, Forest Hall Antiques, Fretta’s, the Hotel Fauchère, Jorgenson’s, the Muir House, the Old Lumberyard, the Upper Mill Complex, as well as the Harrington House, Hare Hollow, Hornetti’s, Irene’s Kitchen, J-Angelo, Jill Deal Inc., the Milford Journal, Patina, Upriver and American Living.

The next step in this initiative involves developing the material to include in the online information that Heritage Travel will promote.  Ultimately, the initiative will increase travel to the area by tourists seeking trip experiences to destinations that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present, including historic, cultural and natural resources.   More information on the Heritage Travel program can be obtained in the internet at www.heritagetravelinc.com.