Buda is one of only two cities statewide to have been designated a 2017 official Texas Main Street City by The Texas Historical Commission. The Main Street Program's purpose is to stimulate the economy of downtown areas and help retain, expand and recruit local businesses. The Buda pick was announced Oct. 20, and the city will officially enter the program Jan. 1, according to a news release. Buda will be the 89th currently designated participant and Linden, the other city to receive the designation in 2017, will be 88th. "[The Main Street designation] gives Buda credibility,” said City Manager Kenneth Williams. “When people are looking at cities and what they have to offer, they see that Main Street designation and it lets them know we are concerned about our quality of life in Buda, and likewise, we are concerned about the downtown area and the small business there.” According to the release, Buda’s selection for the Texas Main Street Program was based on the downtown’s historical identity, support from the community and private sector and demonstrated need. With the help of the Main Street Program, the city will hire a Main Street manager and create a Main Street Advisory Board. The funds to pay a Main Street manager were budgeted in the 2016-17 budget, pending approval of the program, the city release states. Local Main Street programs have access to resources and expertise from the THC, according to the release, including design and historic preservation, planning, economic development, organizational management and training. Since the THC's Texas Main Street Program began in 1981, nearly $3.4 billion has been reinvested by participating communities into historic downtowns statewide. “We’re just ecstatic that we got the designation,” Williams said. “This will enable us to do something in our downtown area, help us to help our small businesses in our area and strengthen the quality of life in the city.”