Main Street Chestertown designated as accredited program for 2024

CHESTERTOWN — First accredited in 2010, Main Street Chestertown has been designated once again as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Main Street Chestertown is the only accredited program in Kent County.

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 its operations, it generated $18.03 of new investment back into its downtown and commercial corridor communities.

“We are incredibly excited to celebrate this year’s 800 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.”

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.

In 2023, Main Street Chestertown secured funding for a Downtown Master Plan, installed wayfinding signage, granted monies for facade improvement projects, installed two pocket parks and brick sidewalks, hosted multiple community events, and completed a commercial lighting project. These projects and events focused on enhancing Chestertown’s historic downtown and attracting visitors and residents.

“Main Street Chestertown is honored to be reaccredited by Main Street America. We are proud to represent Chestertown on a national level,” stated Executive Director Nina Fleegle “Our designation reflects the hard work of our board, staff, and volunteers and allows us to continue our efforts to beautify, enliven, and promote our historic district.”