Downtown Kinston Revitalization has been designated as an affiliate Main Street™ program. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of nationally recognized affiliate programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns and commercial districts using the Main Street Approach™, a framework for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. 

“We are thrilled to acknowledge this year’s 337 Main Street affiliate programs and their commitment to revitalizing their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During a difficult year, these Main Street programs have proven their unique ability to generate impressive economic outcomes, preserve the character of their downtowns, and lift up their communities.” 

In 2020, Main Street America programs generated $4.14 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 4,356 net new businesses, generated 14,988 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 8,488 historic buildings, and clocked 983,702 volunteer hours.  

“We are very appreciative of this recognition. It is an honor to be part of North Carolina Main Street (NCMS) and the Main Street America programs,” said Leon Steele, Executive Director. “Our State program team is tops nationally. It is a pleasure working with them as they provide excellent guidance.  However, such recognition is the result of progress, ongoing progress fueled by passion and drive at the local level that only occurs with the financial, physical, and moral support of a community that rallies behind our endeavors, as well as the support, appreciation, and encouragement of our City leaders, collaborations with other organizations, and of course our incredibly driven and giving volunteers, some of whom may not necessarily be able to write a check, but who share the passion of our organization, are determined to create a better community, who know our vision is realistically achievable and get fully behind it to keep the momentum going and make the dream materialize one bit at a time.”

“It is a rush when it happens,” said Steele. “Imagine what we could accomplish if our non-profit had terrific funding because after all, we are revitalizing the heart of Lenoir County and what we do downtown affects everyone here. So, thank you for the recognition and thank you, everyone, for the support of Pride of Kinston/Downtown Kinston Revitalization.”

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for 40 years. Today, it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $89.57 billion in new public and private investment, generated 687,321 net new jobs and 154,435 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 303,836 buildings. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.