Historic Revitalization Yields Billions: North Carolina’s Main Street Transformation
Since 1980, North Carolina’s Main Street program has effectively funneled over $6.6 billion into downtown districts, fundamentally reshaping communities through extensive public and private investments. This initiative has facilitated the rehabilitation of over 8,700 buildings, alongside a remarkable net increase of 8,800 businesses and nearly 42,000 jobs.
During the fiscal year 2025-26, the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center reported nearly $514 million in investments, leading to the establishment of 318 new businesses and approximately 2,500 job opportunities. These figures emerged from the annual fiscal reports covering the 72 Main Street and eight Small Town Main Street communities.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of these efforts, saying, “Strong downtowns support small businesses, create jobs, and help North Carolinians thrive… These investments are a testament to what is possible when communities build great places for people to work and live.”
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley highlighted the program’s strategy, noting, “The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center team works with communities across the state to build economic development strategies that drive investment, business growth and job creation.”
Revitalization Through Collaboration
Communities involved in the Main Street program vary in size, with populations ranging from 1,435 to 115,053. These communities collaborate with local directors, boards of directors, and numerous volunteers to achieve economic growth.
For the 2025-26 period, Main Street communities reported substantial achievements:
- $507,114,044 in investments
- 2,393 new jobs
- 308 new businesses
- 276 building renovations
- 347 façade improvements
- 83,942 volunteer hours valued at $2,882,570
Since the program’s inception, these communities have realized over $6.44 billion in investments, adding more than 39,000 jobs and growing by over 8,200 businesses. The strategic planning and technical support provided by the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center have been pivotal in these transformations.
Reginald Speight, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development, highlighted the impact of these initiatives, stating, “The investment and growth reported this year highlight how rural towns are turning their assets into real economic opportunity.”
According to Liz Parham, director of the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center, local programs have shown significant momentum, resulting in the revitalization of spaces like renovated mills and theaters, which are integral to creating business opportunities and energizing downtown areas.
Small Town Main Street’s Impact
The Small Town Main Street program supports smaller communities with under 5,000 residents, focusing on volunteer-driven revitalization. In 2025-26, these towns reported:
- $6,870,181 in investments
- 74 new jobs
- 10 new businesses
- 21 building renovations
- 11 façade improvements
- 10,751 volunteer hours valued at $369,188
Since 2003, the program has contributed $172,378,853 in investments, generating over 2,400 jobs and aiding in the creation of 610 businesses.
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center continues to support regional development through strategic planning and technical assistance, aligning with Main Street America™’s Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. For more details, explore the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center website.
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