Bayou Region unites for energy innovation and growth
October 7, 2024
Terrebonne Parish Government announces 3-month bridge closure
October 8, 2024
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street are proud to announce the 24 Louisiana communities designated as Accredited Main Street America programs for 2024. These Main Street organizations have met rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center and recognized for their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
Louisiana’s nationally accredited Main Street America programs for 2024 are:
– Abbeville; Vermilion Parish
– Crowley; Acadia Parish
– Denham Springs; Livingston Parish
– Donaldsonville; Ascension Parish
– Franklin; St. Mary Parish
– Hammond; Tangipahoa Parish
– Homer; Claiborne Parish
– Houma; Terrebonne Parish
– Leesville; Vernon Parish
– Monroe; Ouachita Parish
– Morgan City; St. Mary Parish
– Natchitoches; Natchitoches Parish
– New Iberia; Iberia Parish
– Old Algiers, New Orleans; Orleans Parish
– Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans; Orleans Parish
– New Roads; Pointe Coupee Parish
– Opelousas; St. Landry Parish
– Ruston; Lincoln Parish
– Springhill; Webster Parish
– St. Francisville; West Feliciana Parish
– St. Martinville; St. Martin Parish
– Thibodaux; Lafourche Parish
– West Monroe; Ouachita Parish
– Winnsboro; Franklin Parish
“The historic downtowns and neighborhoods in our state give each area a sense of uniqueness, place, and character that sets one apart from the other. These commercial districts are the heart and soul of the communities in which they are located,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “The revitalization of these areas provides small businesses with great locations to set up shop, help increase tax revenue for their local governments, and draw more visitors to the downtown area. It’s an honor to be able to recognize these 24 Louisiana communities who have worked diligently to revitalize their social cohesion and economic sustainability.”
The Louisiana Main Street program has documented impact, reaching a historic investment milestone of $1 billion in public and private investment in 2022. Of that investment, $520 million was private investments with the remaining $527 million in public investments. Other key statistics during that time include:
– Creation of 15,502 net new jobs
– 3,713 net new businesses
– More than $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings
– More than 2 million volunteer hours
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate this year’s Accredited Main Street America programs, and their remarkable efforts to reenergize their local economies and public spaces,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “Main Street leaders are visionaries that see things that no one else can see and create the future world we all want to live in. The size and impact of our network demonstrates that great things happen when visions are realized through strategic, grassroots collaboration.”
In 2023, the Main Street America programs generated $5.68 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,630 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 35,162 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,556 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,664,763 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $18.03 of new investment back into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.
Louisiana Main Street annually evaluates each state organization’s performance, working in partnership with the National Main Street Center, 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 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.
