MAIN STREET BEAUFORT RECEIVES DESIGNATION AS A 2026 MAIN STREET AMERICA AFFILIATE PROGRAM
This national designation recognizes Beaufort’s strong commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact
Beaufort, South Carolina (June 15, 2026) – Main Street Beaufort has been designated as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for meeting high performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the roster of designated programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach™.
“We are proud to recognize Main Street Beaufort as a 2026 Affiliate 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 at Main Street America. “Main Street Beaufort 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 Beaufort is one of 453 nationally recognized Affiliate Main Street America organizations and is a part of a network of over 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Accredited and Affiliate. These designations are a powerful tool, signaling to community members, civic leaders, decision makers, funders, and others that the Main Street program holds an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.
Main Street Beaufort’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel, and Main Street South Carolina, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong framework for reviewing progress, recognizing strengths, understanding trends, and identifying strategies to move Main Street programs forward.
To qualify for Affiliate status—Main Street America’s second designation tier—communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and dedication to achieving outcomes 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 2025, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings, and leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spent on operations, $23.13 was reinvested in its downtown district.
In 2025, Main Street Beaufort continued to make significant strides in strengthening Downtown Beaufort through business support, community engagement, and strategic revitalization efforts. The program hosted numerous events and promotions that attracted residents and visitors downtown while supporting local businesses and fostering a vibrant sense of place. Through partnerships Main Street Beaufort advanced projects focused on beautification, economic vitality, and downtown enhancement. The program also continued to build momentum through volunteer engagement, business outreach, and collaborative planning efforts that will help guide the future growth and success of downtown. Affiliation with Main Street South Carolina and Main Street America continues to provide valuable training, resources, networking opportunities, and proven strategies that help strengthen our local program and maximize its impact.
“Being affiliated with Main Street South Carolina and Main Street America provides access to an invaluable network of resources, professional development opportunities, and peer communities facing many of the same challenges and opportunities. This support helps us bring new ideas, proven strategies, and national best practices back to Beaufort while preserving the unique character that makes our downtown special. In 2025, that connection helped us continue building partnerships, supporting local businesses, and laying the groundwork for future investments in Downtown Beaufort.” — Sarah Sutton, Main Street Beaufort Director
ABOUT INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME Main Street Beaufort is proud to be South Carolina’s oldest continuously operating Main Street program. For more than 40 years, the organization has worked to preserve downtown Beaufort’s historic character while supporting economic vitality, local businesses, and community-driven revitalization efforts. For more information, visit mainstreetbeaufrot.org.
ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Today, the network includes more than 1,600 communities across the country working to build stronger places through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has resulted in $124.67 billion reinvested locally, 188,583 net new businesses, 852,443 net gain in jobs, 356,424 buildings rehabbed, and 41 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org
