The Community Organization for Rochester Enhancement, or CORE, will host a telethon at the Rochester Elks Hall on Columbus Avenue Thursday, June 22, from 5 to 9 p.m. All money raised will contribute to the city’s application to become a Main Street Community.

“The Main Street program has such a track record of success,” said Karen Pollard, Rochester’s economic development manager. “To be accepted, though, you have to demonstrate both your town’s history and what you see as its future. You have to have a plan. You also have to show a financial commitment to the program.”

CORE and the economic development manager have set a goal of raising $100,000 per year for the first three years of the Main Street program. The money will come from pledges from local businesses, the city of Rochester and individuals.
“It’s really important that there be broad-based support from individuals,” Pollard said.

The group’s goal is to prepare the application—including a detailed outline of the city’s plan for revitalizing downtown—by Aug. 1. If accepted, a full-time director for the Main Street program would also be assigned to the city. The director would manage the day-to-day operations of the program, manage event planning and communicate with volunteers as well as the press. While the city would receive no additional funding, Pollard says being a Main Street community shows a level of commitment that gives the city a competitive edge over other, non-Main Street cities when applying for grants.

Main Street is a 15-year-old national program, online at www.mainstreet.org, aimed at long-term revitalization of downtown communities through local efforts. Communities must apply for selection to the program. Other Seacoast cities that have participated in the program include Dover and Somersworth.

The telethon will feature live entertainment from local musicians, refreshments, raffles and gifts for those who make a pledge. People interested in pledging can do so in person at the event, by phone or online at the CORE Web site (www.core-nh.org). The telethon will be broadcast on Rochester’s public access television station, on channel 12.