Designated Communities
Requirements
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: Program 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
Recognition
NC Main Street Annual Awards Submission
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is proud to present the annual NC Main Street Awards competition, recognizing the hard work, dedication and success of our NC Main Street communities and their achievements in the Four Points of the Main Street Approach® to downtown revitalization: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
Eligibility:
Any active NC Main Street and NC Small Town Main Street community that met the statistics deadline for the most recent fiscal year
Projects must have been completed within the past two years of the submission date.
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 Champion Nomination
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center recognizes individuals who make exceptional contributions to the success of local downtown programs across North Carolina. The NC Main Street Champion designation is a non-competitive honor given to people who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to their downtown. Each Champion will be recognized with a video presentation and commemorative certificate during the Annual NC Main Street Conference.
Key Dates
Entry Deadline: September 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Recognition Ceremony: March 11, 2027, during the NC Main Street Conference in Morganton
Eligibility to Nominate
Only designated NC Main Street communities may nominate a Champion. DAC and Small-Town Main Street communities may submit nominations once they have moved up to the NC Main Street program and have completed one full year as a Designated Main Street Community.
Why Nominate?
Naming an NC Main Street Champion is a meaningful way to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the success of their downtown. This designation also offers a positive public relations opportunity for local programs.
Who Can Be a Champion?
Nominees must be individuals who have made a significant impact on the downtown or downtown program. Their contributions should ideally have taken place within the past year and should clearly exceed typical job or volunteer expectations. Once someone is named an NC Main Street Champion, that honor is permanent. A person previously recognized by your community may not be nominated again. However, a Champion from another community may be nominated by your program if they have also made major contributions to your downtown.
Submission Instructions
Text may not exceed 200 words. Text must be written in a storytelling style with no bullet points. Focus only on the nominee’s contributions to downtown. Do not include family, civic, or religious information. Provide specific details that help readers understand the nominee’s role and 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
Photos must be 1024 × 768 pixels, at least 1 MB in file size, taken in good lighting, and include only the Champion(s). Avoid Photoshop alterations, borders, labels, or date stamps. File names should follow the format: Garner John Doe, Edenton Jane Doe, or Lenoir Jill Doe.
Notification and Ceremony
You will need to notify your Champion so you can gather information for their story. A Champion letter will be sent in January. The designation is not official until after the Awards Ceremony, and public announcements must wait until that time. Champions may privately share the news with family and friends so they may attend the ceremony.
For more information, contact:
Joy Almond
NC Main Street Program Specialist
Email: joy.almond@commerce.nc.gov
Cell: (984) 291-4564
Services
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