Recognition Marks DFA’s 40th Consecutive Year to Have Earned Accreditation
The Downtown Franklin 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 Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
The Downtown Franklin Association’s performance is annually evaluated by the Tennessee Main Street America coordinating program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To quality for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
“We are thrilled to once again be named an Accredited Main Street America™ program,” shares Heidi Hood, Managing Director of the Downtown Franklin Association. “This accreditation guides all of our programming and our ability to continue adding value at the highest level as we fulfill our mission to ensure downtown Franklin remains one of America’s favorite historic districts.”
2023 marks the DFA’s 40th consecutive year to receive the Main Street America accreditation. In 1983, Main Street America™ dubbed Downtown Franklin “America’s Favorite Main Street”, a moniker that it celebrates to this day. For more information, visit www.DowntownFranklinTN.com.