49 NC Communities Achieve Main Street America Accreditation for 2026

In a significant boost to local economies, forty-nine communities in North Carolina have been awarded the prestigious Main Street America™ Accreditation status for 2026. This recognition, announced by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, underscores the state’s dedication to revitalizing and preserving its downtown districts.

Each year, Main Street America, in partnership with the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, celebrates communities that excel in economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach™. “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,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Their dedication is a reminder that strong downtowns fuel prosperity and are built through passion, perseverance, and partnership.”

Recognized Communities

The 2025 performance of the following North Carolina towns earned them the Main Street America Accreditation: 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.

A Rigorous Selection Process

The N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center collaborates with Main Street America to select communities that meet stringent performance criteria. These standards form a robust framework that helps assess progress, highlight strengths, understand trends, and develop strategies to advance Main Street programs. Achieving this top-tier designation requires communities to demonstrate strong outcomes in six key areas: community commitment to revitalization, inclusive leadership, diversified funding, strategic programming, preservation-based economic development, and tangible impacts.

“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,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “These programs demonstrate a dedication to investing in the people and places that make their downtown districts special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”

Economic Impact and Strategic Alignment

Since 1980, North Carolina’s Main Street programs have successfully attracted $6.1 billion in public and private investment, resulting in 39,530 new jobs and the rehabilitation of 8,419 downtown buildings. In 2025 alone, these efforts led to $518.7 million in investments, 288 new businesses, 1,925 new jobs, 364 façade improvements, and 293 building rehabilitations. Volunteer contributions amounted to 127,806 hours, valued at over $4.21 million.

These accomplishments align seamlessly with North Carolina’s First in Opportunity strategic economic development plan, which aims to enhance community well-being and bolster state competitiveness from Murphy to Manteo.

For further details, visit the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center webpage or reach out to Liz Parham at 919-814-4658.

About Main Street America

Main Street America is a leading entity focused on strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For over 45 years, it has offered a practical and adaptable framework for community-driven revitalization. The network spans more than 1,600 communities nationwide, fostering robust local economies through preservation-focused initiatives. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has generated $124.67 billion in reinvestment, established 188,583 new businesses, created 852,443 new jobs, rehabilitated 356,424 buildings, and logged 41 million volunteer hours. Main Street America operates as a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.