Foley Main Street has been named a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program, the organization’s highest national designation recognizing excellence in community-based revitalization and preservation-focused economic development.

The designation places Foley Main Street among 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations and within a broader network of more than 1,600 communities working to strengthen commercial districts across the United States.

Main Street America and its partners award the designation annually to programs that demonstrate measurable progress in downtown revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

“We are proud to recognize Foley Main Street as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” said Erin Barnes, president and CEO of Main Street America. “Foley Main Street demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”

Main Street America recognizes two levels of designation: Accredited and Affiliate. The accreditation is considered a benchmark of excellence for programs demonstrating long-term impact, economic growth and sustainable revitalization efforts.

Foley Main Street’s evaluation included assessments by the organization’s staff and board of directors along with Main Street Alabama, which partners with Main Street America to review programs against national standards.

To earn Accredited status, communities must show sustained success in six key areas: community commitment to revitalization, inclusive leadership and organizational capacity, diversified funding and sustainable operations, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development and measurable impact.

Nationally, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment in 2025, supported 6,936 net new businesses, created 36,549 net new jobs and rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings. Programs also leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. Main Street America reported that for every dollar spent on operations, an average of $23.13 was reinvested into downtown districts.

Since its founding in 2018, Foley Main Street has reported $18 million in private investment and $13.5 million in public improvements in the downtown district. The organization said the district has realized $1.30 in private sector enhancements for every dollar invested by the City of Foley.

Over the past five years, Foley Main Street secured $134,838 in external grant funding to support downtown initiatives and economic development efforts.

In 2025, the organization awarded $17,000 in direct marketing grants to local business owners and invested another $20,000 in professional training programs focused on customer service, soft skills and Google My Business optimization.

"Achieving our 2026 National Accreditation status is a testament to the strategic work our board and partners have accomplished this past year," said Wes Abrams, Foley Main Street Board President. "By pairing private investment with direct support — like our 2025 marketing and training grants — we are not just revitalizing buildings; we are empowering the entrepreneurs who are the heartbeat of Downtown Foley."