Last Updated on July 10, 2025 10:18 am
Town of Boone, North Carolina – The Downtown Boone Development Association has been
designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance
standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated
programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic
development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach
.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited.These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city,state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within anationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economicreturns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creatinglasting impact.
“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street Americaprograms for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes,President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible whenengaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continuedimpact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force forpositive transformation.”
The Downtown Boone Development Association’s performance was evaluated throughassessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and the NorthCarolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center, which works in partnership with Main StreetAmerica to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational frameworkto review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that moveMain Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status—Main Street America’s topdesignation tier—communities must demonstrate a proved track record of achieving outcomes inalignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-basedcommunity commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity;diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming;preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.
In 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helpedopen 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that aMain Street program spent to support its operations, $21.73 was reinvested into its downtownand commercial corridor communities.
Over the last year, Downtown Boone saw over $7.6 million in private investment and $628,000in public investment, reflecting strong community support for a vibrant downtown. MajorDBDA-supported projects included coordinated, on-brand signage to support businessesimpacted by the Howard Street construction, the Hellbender Mural celebrating a localendangered species, and the launch of a successful Downtown Restaurant Week that drewvisitors and boosted local dining establishments. Two building improvements and two façadeenhancements were completed in conjunction with the opening of nine new downtownbusinesses. Despite a young, student-heavy population with a median age of 21, the level ofprivate investment underscores the community’s appreciation for a thriving downtown.
“Earning Main Street accreditation is a significant achievement that reflects the rigor of theprogram and the dedication of our Board to the Four-Point Approach. It’s a testament to the hardwork and collaboration behind the scenes, and it underscores our commitment to long-termeconomic vitality, historic preservation, and a thriving downtown district. Perhaps mostimportantly, it highlights the joy of working together and the deep appreciation we have for thevolunteers and partners whose spirit of service truly reflects the heart of our community.” LaneMoody, Downtown Boone Development Coordinator.