Cleveland, TN – 2026 Mainstreet Cleveland 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 across the country to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

Main Street America is excited to announce 1,291 organizations as 2026 nationally designated Main Street America programs for their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Additionally, in 2025, Main Street America programs generated an impressive economic impact, including more than 6,900 new businesses, 10,623 historic buildings rehabilitated, and a record-breaking $9.4 billion in local reinvestment.

This year’s network of designated Main Street programs includes 838 programs that have earned Accredited status — our top designation tier — for demonstrating a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance in the six standards of community evaluation. Additionally, 453 programs have received Affiliate status for showing a strong commitment to the Main Street model and creating meaningful improvements in their communities. 

“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 1,291 designated Main Street programs for the unwavering commitment and the unique abilities of thousands of individuals to respond to the needs of their communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “The incredible collective impact of these programs demonstrates the power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies by investing in the people and places that make their districts special.” 

Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Accredited and Affiliate. These designations are a badge of excellence and a powerful tool, signaling to community members, civic leaders, decision makers, funders, and others that the Main Street program holds an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting positive impact. 

To qualify for designation, communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model, meet a set of baseline requirements, and achieve outcomes 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. Learn more about the framework, standards, and designation here.

Each program’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and their Coordinating Program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify 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.