Designated Communities

2026 Deadlines

• January 8, 2026:  Program Assessments (MS/STMS)
• June 26, 2026:  Sublicensing Agreements (MS/STMS)
• June 26, 2026:  Annual Agreements (MS/STMS)
• July 31, 2026:  Economic Development Statistics (MS/STMS)
• September 24, 2026:  Award Nominations (MS/STMS)
• September 24, 2026:  Champion Nominations (MS)

For more information, contact:

Lizzie Morrison
Main Street Program Manager
Email: lizzie.morrison@commerce.nc.gov  
Cell:  (919) 971-5744  

Continuing Education

In the dynamic landscape of downtown revitalization, professional development is not just a benefit, it’s a necessity. For NC Main Street Directors, staying informed, inspired, and equipped with the latest tools and strategies is essential to fostering vibrant, resilient communities. Ongoing learning empowers directors to lead with confidence, adapt to emerging trends, and collaborate effectively across sectors. By investing in professional growth, directors strengthen their capacity to drive economic development, preserve historic character, and cultivate local pride.

New Director | Continuing Education Requirements

A new Main Street Director is defined as anyone that has started their Main Street position in the last twelve months or has not previously completed the Main Street America Focus on the Four Points Series.  

• Baseline continuing education trainings are required to achieve a score of 3 on the Main Street America Community Self-Assessment Evaluation Standard 2: Inclusive Leadership and Organizational Capacity – Professional Development.
• Baseline continuing education courses are required for National Accreditation consideration and to remain in good standing.
• Continuing education beyond the baseline may raise your score to a 4 or 5. A score of 5 requires explaining how the training enhanced your program. Continuing education hours are counted hour-for-hour, with sessions 45 minutes or longer rounded up to 1 hour.

Baseline Continuing Education Requirements

• NC Main Street Onboarding (Within the first two months of employment)
• NC Main Street Conference (Director) (March)  
• NC Main Street Conference (1 Volunteer - Minimum) (March)
• NC Main Street Directors’ Meeting (August)  
• NC Main Street NEW Directors’ Meeting: Strongly Encouraged (August)  
• Main Street Academy Focus on the Four Points Series: Economic Vitality (On Demand)
• Main Street Academy Focus on the Four Points Series: Organization (On Demand)
• Main Street Academy Focus on the Four Points Series: Design (On Demand)
• Main Street Academy Focus on the Four Points Series: Promotion (On Demand)
• 2 Additional Continuing Education Credit Hours

Existing Director | Continuing Education Requirements

An existing Main Street Director is defined as anyone that has been in their position for more than twelve months and has previously completed Main Street Basic Training or the Main Street Academy Focus on the Four Points Series.  

• Baseline continuing education trainings are required to achieve a score of 3 on the Main Street America Community Self-Assessment Evaluation Standard 2: Inclusive Leadership and Organizational Capacity – Professional Development.
• Baseline continuing education courses are required for National Accreditation consideration and to remain in good standing.
• Continuing education beyond the baseline may raise your score to a 4 or 5. A score of 5 requires explaining how the training enhanced your program. Continuing education hours are counted hour-for-hour, with sessions 45 minutes or longer rounded up to 1 hour.

Baseline Continuing Education Requirements

• NC Main Street Conference (Director) (March)  
• NC Main Street Conference (1 Volunteer - Minimum) (March)
• NC Main Street Directors’ Meeting (August)  
• 6 Additional Continuing Education Credit Hours  

For more information, contact:

Naomi Riley, MSARP
Main Street Education Coordinator
Email: naomi.riley@commerce.nc.gov  
Cell:  (984) 222-5292

NC Main Street Champion Nomination

The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center proudly recognizes individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the success of their downtown. This honor, NC Main Street Champion, celebrates those who go above and beyond to support local revitalization efforts. Champions are recognized individually through a video presentation and commemorative certificates at the Annual NC Main Street Conference.

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: September 24, 2026 | 5:00 PM 
• Awards Ceremony: March 11, 2027 | NC Main Street Conference | Morganton

Eligibility to Nominate

Only Designated NC Main Street communities may submit a nomination. DAC and Small‑Town Main Street communities may nominate once they have transitioned into the NC Main Street program and maintained Designated status for at least one full year. 

Why Nominate?

Recognizing a Champion is a meaningful way to show appreciation to someone who has significantly contributed to your downtown’s success. It also provides an opportunity for positive public relations and community goodwill.

Who Can Be a Champion?

Nominees must be individuals who have made a significant, above‑and‑beyond impact on your downtown or local Main Street program, ideally within the past year. Once someone is designated as an NC Main Street Champion, they remain a Champion and cannot be re‑nominated by the same community. However, an individual previously named by another community may be nominated again if they have contributed meaningfully to your downtown.

Examples of eligible designations: 

• An individual – John Smith 
• A couple – Jane and Lucy Smith 
• Downtown business owner(s) – John Smith & Sally Jones 
• Property owner(s) – John Smith & Sally Jones 

The following are not eligible: 

• Municipal entities – Town of Smallville 
• Businesses – Nil’s Café 
• Business staff groups – Nil’s Café Staff 
• Municipal department staff – Public Works Staff, Town of Smallville 
• Civic organization boards – Board of Directors, Ayden Arts Council 

Submission Instructions

• NC Main Street will email Directors instructions and the submission portal link
• Nominations have a maximum 200 words. 
• Must follow a storytelling format (no bullet points). 
• Include only information directly related to the nominee’s contributions to downtown. 
• Do not include family details, civic involvement, or religious affiliations. 
• Provide enough detail to create a clear picture of the nominee’s impact. 
• Proofread for content, grammar, and spelling before submitting.
• The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center may edit submissions for length and clarity.

Champion Photo Requirements

• Engaging and professionally presented (consider using a local photographer). 
• High resolution: 1024 × 768 pixels, minimum 1MB file size (needed for large-screen projection). 
• Good lighting; if outdoors, ensure the photographer faces away from the sun. 
• Clean, appropriate background. 
• Only the Champion(s) may appear in the photo, no additional people. Do not crop group photos. 
• No borders, labels, or date stamps. 
• No Photoshop alterations. 
• Save the file using this format: Garner John Doe, Edenton Jane Doe, Lenoir Jill Doe

Notification and Ceremony

• Notify your Champion privately so you can gather details to write their story. 
• In January, Directors will receive the official Champion’s letter via email.  
• Directors will forward the letter to the Champion.
• Champions may not be publicly announced until after the ceremony. 
• Champions may inform family and friends so they can attend the event.

For more information, contact:

Joy Almond
NC Main Street Program Specialist
Email: joy.almond@commerce.nc.gov
Cell:  (984) 291-4564

updated: June 26, 2026

About the Design Program

Since March of 2016, the North Carolina Main Street Program has partnered with UNCG’s Interior Architecture Department and its Center for Community-Engaged Design to provide design assistance to designated Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities across the state.

Undergraduate and graduate students are selected to become Main Street Fellows.  The Main Street Fellows work with UNCG Interior Architecture Department Professors to complete facade rehabilitation designs and upper story apartment conversions in designated Main Street communities.

Visit UNCG's website to learn more about the Main Street Fellows

Eligibility Requirements:

• Available only to designated NC Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities
• Not available to Downtown Associate Communities
• Speculative projects are not eligible
• Property owners must demonstrate intent to implement the design

Begin the Process

Fill out the online form to request design services

For more information, contact:

Amy Suggs, NCCED
NC Main Street Program Specialist
Email: amy.suggs@commerce.nc.gov
Cell:  (910) 530-0278

NC Main Street Services

The NC Main Street team provides designated NC Main Street programs and their community leaders with the following services upon request:

• Strategic Economic Development Planning
• Market Analysis Data
• Mobile Location Data
• Technical Assistance for Property Redevelopment
• Technical Assistance in Main Street Program Administration
• Business Recruitment Support
• Design Services (Linked back to page)
• Grants and Funding Guidance

Begin the Process

Fill out the online form to request design services

You will connect with a staff member within 72 hours of submitting your request. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please contact us below for follow-up.

For more information, contact:

Lizzie Morrison
Main Street Program Manager
Email: lizzie.morrison@commerce.nc.gov  
Cell:  (919) 971-5744