MURFREESORO — Hard work pays off.

The town of Murfreesboro has been selected to be a part of the Small Town Main Street program.

Murfreesboro officials were notified on Monday when a letter from J. Keith Crisco, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, addressed to Mayor John Hinton delivered the news just after 1 p.m.

“It’s accumulation of four and a half to five months of working and writing…we’re just tickled,” said Hinton. “I’m just really excited.”

Hinton said the town’s entrance into the program will be contingent upon the Murfreesboro Town Council adopting a resolution of agreement to participate.

“I would like to congratulate you on the selection of Murfreesboro as a participant in our Small Town Main Street Program,” Crisco’s letter stated.

“Our staff was impressed with the work that has already taken place in your community and we are expecting continued success.”

According to the letter, Small Town Main Street Coordinator Bob Murphrey will be in contact with Town Administrator Lee Capps to schedule an organizational visit. At that time, Small Town Main Street staff will present a program overview and give the community an orientation to Small Town Main Street.

“While Murfreesboro’s selection to be a Small Town Main Street Community is a special distinction, it is only one more step to community development,” Crisco’s letter concluded. “We are pleased to be working with you in this important area and wish you the very best.”

The Small Town Main Street Program provides DOC staff that assists communities in finding resources in five areas, including organizational development, market analysis, business assistance, promotions and design.

The program strives to promote downtown revitalization based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. Murfreesboro was one of four eastern North Carolina communities in the running for three spots in the program.