#USA #Frederick #Downtown Frederick #Main Street America #Accredited Program

Downtown Frederick Partnership Achieves 2025 Accreditation by Main Street America

The Downtown Frederick Partnership has proudly announced its designation as a 2025 Accredited Program by Main Street America, a recognition that underscores its unwavering commitment to community revitalization and economic performance standards. This accolade is not just a title but a marker of the Partnership's effort in fostering vibrant, inclusive urban spaces that reflect the character of Frederick.

Understanding the Main Street America Approach

Main Street America operates under a proven methodology designed to stimulate local economies through preservation-based approaches. For over 45 years, the initiative has achieved remarkable results in communities across the nation. As a member of this esteemed network, Downtown Frederick Partnership benefits from a wealth of resources while contributing to a collective force dedicated to transforming communities positively.

As Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, expressed, "The efforts of the 821 Accredited Main Street America programs this year reflect a commitment to building strong and vibrant communities. Their work exemplifies what engaged leadership can accomplish in creating places that resonate with their communities."

Evaluation and Recognition

The evaluation process for achieving Accredited status was rigorous. It included comprehensive assessments from the Partnership’s staff, Board of Directors, and collaboration with Main Street Maryland, ensuring that they meet national community evaluation standards. Kara Norman, the Executive Director of Downtown Frederick Partnership, articulated her pride in receiving this designation, citing it as validation of their ongoing efforts to nurture a vibrant and resilient downtown.

Achievements in Community Revitalization

In 2024 alone, Main Street America programs collectively contributed $7.65 billion in local investments, facilitated the opening of 6,324 new businesses, and helped create over 33,000 jobs. Notably, the revitalization journey included rehabilitating historic structures and logging nearly 2 million volunteer hours. For every dollar spent on operations, these programs reinvested an impressive $21.73 into their local economies.

The Downtown Frederick Partnership itself showed remarkable performance, facilitating over 3,146 volunteer hours and supporting the establishment of 20 new businesses, bolstering the district's economic vitality significantly. Additionally, they hosted Maryland's inaugural Main Street Maryland Conference, which brought together professionals statewide to share insights and strategies for effective downtown revitalization.

Conclusion

Founded in 1990, the Downtown Frederick Partnership has been integral to maintaining the vibrancy, livability, and diversity of its community. With the successful management of Downtown Frederick's Main Street program since its designation in 2001, the Partnership continues to exemplify what it means to be a thriving Main Street community. As they move forward, the recognition from Main Street America serves as both a culmination of past achievements and a motivator for future growth.

For those interested in learning more or contributing to the downtown project, you can visit downtownfrederick.org.