RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - A three-year program to help small municipalities leverage their tools for economic development will begin with an initial class of four communities for the Downtown Associate Community program.

The Town of Aberdeen, the Village of Chimney Rock, the Town of Elon and the City of Laurinburg will "connect with the guidance and support they need to bring businesses, jobs and investment to their downtowns," according to N.C. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla, as quoted in the department's SYNC report.

The localities competed for the opportunity.

The program is part of the NC Main Street program.

More information is available at http://www.nccommerce.com/rd/main-street.