Last Updated on July 10, 2025 10:18 am
Town of Boone, North Carolina – The Downtown Boone Development 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 designated
programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic
development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited.
These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city,
state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a
nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic
returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating
lasting impact.
“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street America
programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes,
President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when
engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued
impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for
positive transformation.”
The Downtown Boone Development Association’s performance was evaluated through
assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and the North
Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center, which works in partnership with Main Street
America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework
to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move
Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top
designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proved track record of achieving outcomes in
alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in six areas: broad-based
community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity;
diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming;
preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.
In 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped
open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126
historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a
Main Street program spent to support its operations, $21.73 was reinvested into its downtown
and commercial corridor communities.
Over the last year, Downtown Boone saw over $7.6 million in private investment and $628,000
in public investment, reflecting strong community support for a vibrant downtown. Major
DBDA-supported projects included coordinated, on-brand signage to support businesses
impacted by the Howard Street construction, the Hellbender Mural celebrating a local
endangered species, and the launch of a successful Downtown Restaurant Week that drew
visitors and boosted local dining establishments. Two building improvements and two façade
enhancements were completed in conjunction with the opening of nine new downtown
businesses. Despite a young, student-heavy population with a median age of 21, the level of
private investment underscores the community’s appreciation for a thriving downtown.
“Earning Main Street accreditation is a significant achievement that reflects the rigor of the
program and the dedication of our Board to the Four-Point Approach. It’s a testament to the hard
work and collaboration behind the scenes, and it underscores our commitment to long-term
economic vitality, historic preservation, and a thriving downtown district. Perhaps most
importantly, it highlights the joy of working together and the deep appreciation we have for the
volunteers and partners whose spirit of service truly reflects the heart of our community.” Lane
Moody, Downtown Boone Development Coordinator.
