Events like the Riverwalk Farmer’s Market helped DMI receive Main Street accreditation
Downtown Milford, Inc. is excited to announce that it 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 extremely proud to recognize this year’s 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”
In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.
Downtown Milford, Inc.’s performance is annually evaluated by Delaware on Main which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
Downtown Milford, Inc. is a volunteer driven 501c3 nonprofit. “Our volunteers have worked hard this past year to promote Milford, Delaware’s historic riverside business district in very challenging times. By the end of 2021 Downtown Milford, Inc’s volunteer force proved themselves by bringing back one of their hallmark festivals that had been previously cancelled by the pandemic.
“The annual Holiday Stroll and Christmas Market was held on Walnut Street with a record number of attendees to the delight of our downtown businesses!” said Executive Director, Janne Collins, “Volunteers are also working on the popular Ladybug Music Festival scheduled for Saturday, July 30 and are planning activities and events for 2023 like the annual Pub Crawl and so much more in Milford! We are excited to be an accredited member of Main Street America that gives DMI so many great resources and tools to help us in the task of revitalization of our downtown.”
Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Their network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $95.33 billion in new public and private investment, generated 161,036 net new businesses and 717,723 net new jobs, and rehabilitated more than 314,431 buildings. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
RELATED STORIES:
Share this Post