CHARLESTON, W.Va – Main Street West Virginia is pleased to announce the Main Street communities who have been recognized as accredited and affiliate Main Streets by the National Main Street Center. Each Main Street program is reviewed annually by the Main Street West Virginia State Coordinator in coordination with the National Main Street Center staff. The communities are evaluated on ten performance standards, including a comprehensive work plan, broad community support in both the public and private sectors, as well as reporting key statistics to the state and participating in training throughout the year.
“We are thrilled to acknowledge this year’s Accredited and Affiliate programs and their dedication to advancing economic opportunity and quality of life in their downtowns,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”
In 2021, Accredited and Affiliate Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, every dollar a Main Street program spent to support their operations generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.*
“These accredited and affiliated Main Streets are vital to our state’s economy. The creation of jobs and the additions of new businesses really help our small towns thrive,” says Mitch Carmichael, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. “Investing and supporting these Main Streets is something that our office and the West Virginia Community Advancement and Development office really tries to do each day. We are thankful for the businesses and towns that continue to say #YesWV, and help us grow as a whole.”
The West Virginia Accredited communities include:
- Charles Town
- Fairmont
- Martinsburg
- Morgantown
- Parkersburg
- Philippi
- Point Pleasant
- Ripley
- Wheeling
Wheeling The West Virginia Affiliate communities include:
- Charleston
- Elkins
- Kingwood
- Mannington
- Ronceverte
