Press Release
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
Main Street Uvalde’s performance is annually evaluated by the City of Uvalde, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To quality for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
“Having the Accreditation from Main Street America proves that we are committed to making our Main Street district successful. We continue to research, plan and finds ways that will help improve not only business in the area but the overall outlook.” Stated Gloria Resma, Main Street Uvalde manager. “ Will things happen overnight? No. Though, if we continue to work together and make plans and take one step at a time we can achieve what we are looking for.”
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ABOUT MAIN STREET UVALDE
Main Street Uvalde is a nonprofit organization that works with the community, governing entities, business and property owners to advocate, initiate, and incentivize economic investment for the revitalization, preservation, and promotion of our historic downtown as an attractive, bustling destination for residents, tourists and travelers to gather, shop, work, and enjoy.
Main Street Uvalde envisions a revitalized and active historic downtown destination that strives to be a family friendly, attractive, safe and desirable center for business, leisure and entertainment incorporating and celebrating the unique history, architecture and cultural diversity of the community.
ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA
Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have generated more than $101.58 billion in new public and private investment, generated 168,693 net new businesses and 746,897 net new jobs, rehabilitated more than 325,119 buildings, and levered over 33.7 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
