DELAWARE — Fifteen Main Street Programs have earned accreditation or affiliate status from Main Street America, according to the Delaware on Main Street Program.
Operated by the Delaware Division of Small Business, the program says four Downtown Main Street Programs have earned reaccreditation status, and another 11 have earned continued affiliate status from Main Street America.
The four programs that earned reaccreditation status include:
- Downtown Wilmington Visions
- Downtown Dover Partnership
- Downtown Milford, Inc.
- Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc.
According to the Delaware on Main Street Program, to qualify for accredited status, communities must demonstrate exceptional performance in the following 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
- Demonstrated impact and results
The 11 downtown programs receiving affiliate status include:
- City of Harrington
- City of Seaford
- Cornerstone West CDC
- Main Street Delaware City
- Middletown Main Street
- Milton Main Street
- New Castle County Council
- Old Brandywine Village
- Smyrna Main Street
- Town of Georgetown
- The Newark Partnership
The Delaware on Main Street Program says that in 2024, six of the Delaware on Main Street programs generated $270,684,858 million in local reinvestment. Officials say the programs created 175 full-time and 426 part-time jobs and helped open 67 new businesses. The program also completed 50 rehabilitation projects, 18 public improvement projects and 69 new construction projects.
Main Street America reports that for every dollar spent on program operations, an average of $21.73 was reinvested into downtown and commercial corridor communities.