DOWNTOWN PKB PROMOTES DOWNTOWN PARKERSBURG, FOSTERS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND CREATES COMMUNITY VITALITY. THE GOAL IS TO CREATE A VIBRANT COMMERCIAL DISTRICT THAT WILL PROVIDE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, WORKERS AND NEARBY RESIDENTS WITH GOODS AND SERVICES THEY NEED, AS WELL AS CREATE EDUCATIONAL, ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2010, THE CITY OF PARKERSBURG APPLIED TO BE PART OF THE WEST VIRGINIA ONTRAC (ORGANIZATION, TRAINING, REVITALIZATION AND CAPACITY) PROGRAM AND WAS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE. THE ONTRAC PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY MAIN STREET WEST VIRGINIA AND THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRUST TO HELP CITIES CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BY FOCUSING ON FOUR KEY AREAS: DESIGN, PROMOTION, ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING AND ORGANIZATION.