Special to Iredell Free News
The Mooresville Downtown Commission (MDC) has been designated as a Nationally Accredited Main Street America program for the third year in a row.
The accreditation status signifies the most distinguished recognition in the country that a Downtown community can receive for comprehensive revitalization through preservation-based economic development.
To quality for accredited status – Main Street America’s top designation tier – communities must demonstrate exceptional commitment and performance to the Main Street Approach 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 impacts with verified results.
“The MDC works diligently to uphold the rigorous performance standards required annually for this significant distinction,” Board Chairman Kim Saragoni said. “The designation validates all the hours our determined Board of Directors, committed staff, devoted partners, investors, and volunteers, and passionate entrepreneurs have dedicated to ensuring responsible and meticulous strategic planning, followed by thorough yet efficient implementation with measurable results.”
“We’ve worked so hard together to achieve incredible revitalization and sustainable growth in our Downtown, and the recognition is so rewarding,” added MDC Executive Director Kim Atkins. “Over $58 millon has been invested in the approximate 24 acres that the Downtown Mooresville Municipal Service District encompasses in the last decade alone, including over $42 million in private investments by property and business owners, and almost $16 million in public investments by the Town. Our last fiscal year (July 2022 – June 2023) saw a record-breaking $18,500,113 in investments, demonstrating the value that investors and business owners see in our Downtown, which has truly become a well-established, viable, and vibrant place.”
Main Street America is a movement that has been helping revitalize historic commercial districts for more than 40 years. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, urban commercial districts, and State Commerce departments, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. The N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet national performance standards.
“Our Nationally Accredited programs are leaders in the field of downtown development who are leveraging their local assets and statewide resources to find creative, innovative solutions to community economic development challenges,” said Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center.
“These communities have worked hard to achieve lasting economic prosperity by honoring diversity, inclusivity, local leadership, community engagement, storytelling, and historic preservation,” added N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders.
The Mooresville Downtown Commission
The MDC is a 501(c)(4) organization that creates, facilitates, and promotes the vibrancy of the heart of Mooresville through engagement, support, advocacy, and leadership.