WWJ

National Geographic Travel Magazine is singing the praises of one Oakland County Community.   Ferndale is one of just five communities from across the nation chosen for a "Great American Main Street Award."

The award is given to towns who create jobs, get the community involved and demonstrate an authentic American Culture.

In an article titled, "Take A Stroll Down Main Street," the magazine notes that the city has managed to cut its downtown business vacancy rate from 30-percent to six-percent over the past ten years, despite Southeast Michigan's economic decline.

But Mayor Craig Covey says there's one thing in particular he loves about his town. "My favorite thing about downtown is the walk-ability. I don't have to drive my car," Covey told WWJ.

"You know, I've had a car all my life, and I can drive it if I need to. But, at this point in Ferndale's history and in my own history, I can leave my car in my driveway and I can walk to the bank, I can walk to the drug store, I can walk to the gym, and I can walk to the bar or the nightclub or the restaurant, and I just love doing that," Covey said.

Coveys says such national distinction is great for Ferndale.

"We're now seeing and hearing from people in cities like New York and Los Angeles that have heard of Ferndale -- that  blows my mind!   And we have people moving here, that are coming to the Metro Detroit area, and when they select a place to live, they're picking Ferndale," he said.

Over the past decade, Ferndale has seen $35 million in private investment and created 700 new jobs.

Other winning towns were Columbus, Mississippi; Fairmont, West Virginia; Lee's Summit, Missouri and Paducah, Kentucky.

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