As the Village of Farmingdale prepares to submit an application for the Great American Main Street Awards Program, we are hopeful that the strides this community has made in revitalizing its downtown will be recognized.

Since the late 1970s, Farmingdale's Main Street has struggled with economic hardship. This was caused by the loss of 20,000 local jobs at nearby Republic and Grumman manufacturing plants, due to U.S. Defense spending cuts, coupled with the rise of malls and mega-stores. The improvements made to Main Street in the latter part of this decade have been a true community effort, coming about from the hard work and dedication of several civic organizations and branches of government.

From the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club to the Railroad Restoration and Beautification committees and Fire Department, to local Girl Scouts and high school students, all involved have focused on highlighting the small-town heritage and charm of Main Street. They have contributed ornamental decor, bright plantings and festivities that encourage the community to make Main Street its center. Under the leadership of the Incorporated Village, the county, state and federal governments have provided funds for historic restoration, new building facades, trees, brick sidewalks and street lighting.

As a result, impressive numbers of store vacancies have been filled, and much blight has been eradicated. And, Farmingdale people are talking about Main Street with pride.

Their story is a classic example of a middle-class American community's quest to reinvent a downtown that declined with the defense era. It is a work in progress; local shopkeepers still struggle to compete with the chain stores that are cropping up all around them. But they and the village that supports them have shown they have the heart needed to succeed.

A.M.