Downtown Waxhaw Receives 2023 Main Street America Accreditation
Downtown Waxhaw 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.
Downtown Waxhaw’s performance is annually evaluated by North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center, which collaborates 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.
“After being recognized as an affiliate program in 2022, we are thrilled to have met the standards to become an Accredited Main Street Program in 2023,” said Ashley Nowell, Waxhaw’s Downtown Director. “Last year, we really put the focus on building a strong and sustainable organization supported by community volunteers, and this accreditation shows that effort was successful.”
The Main Street Approach has been very successful for Waxhaw with over $26 Million in public and private investment, 306 net new jobs, and 60 net new businesses over the last 14 years. In December 2022, the Town of Waxhaw’s Board of Commissioners voted to expand the Main Street program by creating a 501c3 tax-exempt organization with a mission to preserve and promote Downtown Waxhaw. The newly formed Board of Directors for the Downtown Waxhaw Association, Inc. held their first board meeting in May and is excited to get started on marketing and promoting the downtown district.
MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA (not for publication): To reach Waxhaw’s Downtown Director Ashley Nowell: anowell@waxhaw.com
ABOUT DOWNTOWN WAXHAW:
Waxhaw was designated as a Small Town Main Street Community in 2009 and joined a growing number of North Carolina communities focused on downtown revitalization. In 2015, Waxhaw graduated to the full Main Street Program designation and received national accreditation from the National Main Street Center in 2023. In December 2022, Waxhaw incorporated a non-profit organization, Downtown Waxhaw Association, to assist in managing the main street program and preserving and promoting Downtown Waxhaw. As a Main Street Community, the Town of Waxhaw and the Downtown Waxhaw Association, Inc. works to implement preservation-based economic development through the Main Street Approach™.
Life is on track in Downtown Waxhaw. Connected by the iconic overhead bridge, Downtown Waxhaw's streetscapes pay homage to heritage while keeping pace with progress. A vibrant arts community, unique boutiques, and diverse cuisine partnered with professional business services make Waxhaw an epicenter for entrepreneurship and innovation.
