Main Street America Recognizes Garner as a 2017 Accredited Program
The Garner Revitalization Association has been designated as an accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its Coordinating Program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street America programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach®.
North Carolina is one of the original states to administer the National Main Street Program. The North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center evaluates each of the state’s local Main Street organizations annually to identify those programs that meet ten performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings.
“Strong, thriving main streets are a key in ensuring strong communities, especially in rural parts of the state,” said Anthony M. Copeland, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce. “We’re proud that our Main Street communities have been recognized on a national level for their achievements. These local programs assist communities in bringing jobs and businesses to their downtowns, which helps overall communities enjoy a healthier, more robust economy.”
Since 2009, Garner’s Main Street program has leveraged over $5 million in public investment and $5.9 million in private investment to support downtown revitalization. This public-private partnership spurred the creation of 12 new businesses, 68 new jobs, 11 building renovations, 7 façade improvements, and over 2,000 volunteer hours invested in the last 8 years.
“Those communities meeting the standards understand that downtown economic development requires a comprehensive approach, which is the basis for the National Main Street Program,” said Liz Parham, director of the North Carolina Main Street Center. “We’re proud of the accomplishments of the 39 North Carolina communities that have achieved national accreditation.”
“It is a great honor to recognize this year’s 828 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs for their outstanding work to transform downtown and neighborhood commercial districts,” says Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “Main Streets are the heart of our communities, and the work they do to create quality public spaces, catalyze local entrepreneurship, and support downtown housing is more important than ever. Across the county, Main Street America programs truly strengthen the economic, social, and cultural fabric of their entire communities.”