Montevallo Main Street has been designated an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous national performance standards during a highly successful year.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs to recognize exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
“We have been thrilled to welcome 10 new businesses to our Main Street District since June of last year,” said Courtney Bennett, executive director of Montevallo Main Street. “Being an Accredited Main Street Community has made a huge impact on our city since we were first designated in June 2016. Our awesome volunteers have shared over 2,600 hours of their time making Montevallo a better place over the past year.
“We look forward to continuing our work of promoting and revitalizing downtown through supporting our businesses, promoting the arts, hosting special events like Spring Fling and Friday Nights at the Cove, and making Main Street beautiful through our photo spots and banner programs — especially our Veteran Banner program.”
Main Street Board President Sarah Hogan paints safety stripes on downtown steps. (contributed)
Jarvis Davis, owner of Save My Cell on Main Street, volunteers to change out signs at Owl’s Cove Park. (Adele Nelson)
Montevallo Main Street brings people downtown during its free summer concert series, Friday Nights at the Cove. (White Rose Film & Photo)
Montevallo Main Street brings people downtown during its free summer concert series, Friday Nights at the Cove. (White Rose Film & Photo)
Volunteer Missy Lehman spruces up planters in front of El Agave Bar & Grill. (contributed)
Montevallo Main Street’s performance is evaluated each year by Main Street Alabama, which works with Main Street America to identify programs that meet its performance standards. Evaluation criteria are designed to determine the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs. Standards include fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces and cultural assets.
“We are extremely proud to recognize this year’s 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” 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, Main Street America programs:
- Generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment.
- Helped open 6,601 net new businesses.
- Generated 30,402 net new jobs.
- Catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings.
- Leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours.
On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support its operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities, according to Main Street America.
