Ames Main Street has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America™ program. Accredited status is Main Street America’s top tier of recognition and signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive commercial district revitalization and proven track record of successfully applying the Main Street Approach™.
“We are proud to recognize this year’s 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have dedicated themselves to strengthening their communities,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These Accredited Main Street programs have proven to be powerful engines for revitalization by sparking impressive economic returns and preserving the character of their communities. During these challenging times, these Main Street programs will be key to bringing economic vitality back to commercial districts and improving quality of life during the recovery process.”
In 2019 alone, $6.45 billion of public and private reinvestment was generated, 6,466 net new businesses were opened, 32,316 net new were jobs created, and 10,412 buildings were rehabilitated in Main Street America communities.
Ames Main Street’s performance is evaluated by Main Street Iowa, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet ten rigorous performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.
“Achieving the Main Street America accreditation once again reaffirms our strength as a Main Street community,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “We are committed to continuing this relationship and growing the District into a destination place where all feel welcome.”
Ames Main Street has been a Main Street America community since 2009.
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About Ames Main Street
Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
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 $85.43 billion in new public and private investment, generated 672,333 net new jobs and 150,079 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 295,348 buildings. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
CONTACT:
John Hall | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | director@amesdowntown.org
Andrea Hammes Dodge | Vice President, Ames Chamber of Commerce | 515-232-2310 | andrea@ameschamber.com
