Whiteville has received Main Street America Accreditation status for 2026, the North Carolina Department of Commerce said.
Each year, Main Street America and its state coordinating partner, the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center, announce the list of programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
“Communities across our state continue to achieve excellence in economic development as they demonstrate what’s possible when people come together with vision and purpose,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Their dedication is a reminder that strong downtowns fuel prosperity and are built through passion, perseverance, and partnership.”
The N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet its rigorous performance 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 qualify for Main Street America’s top tier designation, communities must demonstrate a proven 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.
“We are proud to recognize our 2026 Accredited Main Street America programs for their unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of their staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “These programs demonstrate a dedication to investing in the people and places that make their downtown districts special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
“Our Main Street Accredited communities have demonstrated substantial achievement, driven by a clear vision for resilient downtowns,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center. “Their work reflects a deep commitment to excellence and a belief in what their communities can accomplish through collaboration, determination, and forward‑looking leadership.”
Since 1980, N.C. Main Street programs have leveraged $6.1 billion in public and private investment, created 39,530 net new jobs, and rehabilitated 8,419 downtown buildings. In 2025, N.C. Main Street and Small Town Main Street downtown districts leveraged $518.7 million in public and private investment, 288 net new businesses, 1,925 net new jobs, 364 façade improvements, 293 building rehabilitations, and recorded 127,806 volunteer hours, valued at more than $4.21 million in time.
These improvements to infrastructure and downtown revitalization efforts align with North Carolina’s First in Opportunity strategic economic development plan to enhance community well-being and strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness from Murphy to Manteo.
In addition to Whiteville, other Main Street communities that earned accreditation for their 2025 performance include:
Albemarle, Asheboro, Belmont, Boone, Brevard, Cherryville, Concord, Edenton, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Henderson, Hendersonville, Hickory, Laurinburg, Lenoir, Lexington, Lumberton, Manteo, Marion, Mebane, Mooresville, Morehead City, Morganton, Mount Airy, Murphy, New Bern, Newton, Oxford, Pittsboro, Reidsville, Rocky Mount, Roxboro, Salisbury, Sanford, Smithfield, Spruce Pine, Statesville, Sylva, Troy, Tryon, Wake Forest, Waynesville, Waxhaw, Wilson, and Zebulon.
Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
