BRUNSWICK MAIN STREET DESIGNATED AS A 2025 ACCREDITED PROGRAM BY MAIN STREET AMERICA
BRUNSWICK, Md., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brunwick Main Street 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."
Brunswick Main Street's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Maryland Main Street, 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 their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.
In 2024, Brunswick Main Street played a pivotal role in revitalizing the downtown district through innovative programs and collaborative partnerships. The Building Block program was able to continue due to securing $250,000 worth of funding from the State. These monies will help multiple property owners with the health, safety and welfare of their older buildings which are in dire need of improvements for their viability into the future. The YIFTEE Gift Card program injected $96,500 into local businesses, with a BOGO campaign selling out in just 24 hours. Brunswick celebrated the opening of six new businesses, reflecting the success of initiatives like the Blighted Building Program, which revitalized historic properties like the Newberry Building. These efforts exemplify Brunswick's commitment to fostering economic growth and preserving its historic charm.
"Our national accreditation as a Main Street program is vital for several reasons," said Carmen Hilton, Program Manager of Brunswick Main Street. "It signifies our community's dedication to revitalizing our historic downtown and commercial districts, fostering economic growth, and preserving our cultural heritage. This accreditation provides access to invaluable resources, including technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities, empowering us to implement effective revitalization strategies. It also enhances our visibility and credibility, attracting investment, tourism, and support from key stakeholders. Ultimately, this designation helps us build a vibrant, sustainable, and economically resilient community."
ABOUT BRUNSWICK MAIN STREET
Brunswick Main Street is part of Main Street America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that supports communities in their efforts to revitalize struggling downtowns while retaining their unique, historic characters. Dedicated to the economic success of its downtown, Brunswick Main Street, created in 2004, works to revitalize the charm and history and show residents and visitors why Downtown Brunswick is a great place to live, work, shop and play. To learn more about Brunswick Main Street and how you can get involved, please visit brunswickmainstreet.org.
ABOUT THE CITY OF BRUNSWICK
The City of Brunswick is located in south-western Frederick County along the Potomac River, the C & O National Historic Park, and the MARC train line. Proud of its historic contribution as a railroad and canal hub to Frederick County's growth and development, Brunswick continues to attract commercial and residential growth with its easy proximity to urban centers, beautiful natural resources, award-winning schools, and small-town charm. Visit the City's official website at www.brusnwickmd.gov.
ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA
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™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $115.42 billion reinvested locally, 181,647 net new businesses, 815,895 net new jobs, 345,801 buildings rehabilitated, and 37.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
SOURCE Brunswick Main Street