The National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation has cited 44 North Carolina communities for economic vitality and fidelity in following the best-practice standards for historic preservation and community revitalization championed by the center. Eleven new communities joined the ranks of accredited North Carolina communities as compared to last year’s roster.
The eleven communities newly appearing in this year’s list are: Cherryville, Hendersonville, Lexington, Lincolnton, Rocky Mount, Rutherfordton, Sanford, Shelby, Sylva, Waxhaw, and Williamston.
Communities receiving accreditation again this year include: Belmont, Boone, Brevard, Burlington, Clayton, Clinton, Concord, Eden, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fuquay-Varina, Goldsboro, Hertford, Hickory, Kings Mountain, Lenoir, Marion, Monroe, Morganton, Mount Airy, New Bern, North Wilkesboro, Roanoke Rapids, Roxboro, Salisbury, Smithfield, Spruce Pine, Statesville, Wake Forest, Washington, Waynesville, and Wilson.
“Vibrant downtowns are important economic engines for the North Carolina economy,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla. “This national recognition confirms the results we’re seeing every day in these forward-thinking communities and is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our Main Street program participants.”
“Each year, our Center’s staff evaluates each of the state’s designated Main Street organizations to identify those programs that met the National Main Street Center’s ten performance standards for the previous twelve-month calendar year,” said Liz Parham, director of the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center. “69% of all North Carolina Main Street communities achieved national accreditation in 2016 and that represents 14% more communities that have worked over the last year to incorporate basic best practices in their Main Street operations.”
Since 1980, The North Carolina Main Street program has generated $2.3 billion in private and public investment.