49 NC Communities Receive Main Street America Accreditation for 2026

North Carolina’s commitment to enhancing its downtown areas has been recognized with the accreditation of 49 communities by Main Street America™ for 2026. Announced by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, these communities have been acknowledged for their dedication to economic development and revitalization following the Main Street Approach™. Each year, Main Street America along with the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, selects programs that uphold high standards in preservation-based community transformation.

N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley praised the collaborative efforts, stating, “Communities across our state continue to achieve excellence in economic development as they demonstrate what’s possible when people come together with vision and purpose.” He emphasized that the strength of downtown areas is vital to economic prosperity, achieved through passion, perseverance, and partnership.

The following communities have been accredited for their notable 2025 performance: Albemarle, Asheboro, Belmont, Boone, Brevard, Cherryville, Concord, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Henderson, Hendersonville, Hickory, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lexington, Lumberton, Manteo, Marion, Mebane, Mooresville, Morehead City, Morganton, Mount Airy, Murphy, New Bern, Newton, Oxford, Pittsboro, Reidsville, Rocky Mount, Roxboro, Salisbury, Sanford, Smithfield, Spruce Pine, Statesville, Sylva, Troy, Tryon, Wake Forest, Waynesville, Waxhaw, Whiteville, Wilson, and Zebulon.

The evaluation process conducted by the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, in partnership with Main Street America, assesses if local programs meet rigorous standards. These standards guide the Main Street America network in evaluating progress and implementing strategies that benefit community programs. To achieve Main Street America’s top designation, communities must excel in six key areas: community commitment, leadership capacity, sustainable funding, strategic programming, economic development, and impact results.

Erin Barnes, President, and CEO of Main Street America commented, “We are proud to recognize our 2026 Accredited Main Street America programs for their unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of their staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their communities.” Barnes highlighted the importance of investing in the unique qualities of downtown districts, which contribute to vibrant communities and robust economies.

Reflecting on the achievements, Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, said, “Our Main Street Accredited communities have demonstrated substantial achievement, driven by a clear vision for resilient downtowns. Their work reflects a deep commitment to excellence and a belief in what their communities can accomplish through collaboration, determination, and forward-looking leadership.”

Since its inception in 1980, N.C. Main Street programs have spurred $6.1 billion in investments, created over 39,000 jobs, and revitalized thousands of downtown structures. In 2025 alone, these downtown districts saw $518.7 million in investments, 288 new businesses, nearly 2,000 jobs, and significant volunteer contributions, illustrating the comprehensive impact of these programs.

The ongoing enhancements are aligned with North Carolina’s First in Opportunity strategic plan, aimed at boosting community well-being and economic competition across the state.

For more information, visit the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center webpage or contact Liz Parham at 919-814-4658.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America is at the forefront of community enhancement through its focus on preservation-based economic growth in historical downtowns and commercial districts. For over 45 years, it has provided adaptable strategies for community-driven revitalization. Today, its network of over 1,600 communities showcases the power of preservation with $124.67 billion reinvested, nearly 189,000 new businesses, and more than 850,000 new jobs created since 1980. Main Street America operates under the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more details, visit mainstreet.org.