Foley,  Alabama, May 27, 2026 – Foley Main Street has been designated as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous 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 Foley Main Street as a 2026 Accredited 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. “Foley Main Street 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.”

Foley Main Street is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited 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 badge of excellence and 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 transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting positive impact.

Foley Main Street’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Main Street Alabama, 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 Accredited status—Main Street America’s top designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance 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.

Foley Main Street (FMS) continues to serve as a powerful economic engine for the downtown district. Since its inception in 2018 it has recorded $18 million in private investment alongside $13.5 million in public improvements to date. This collaborative growth represents a positive return on investment.  For every dollar the City of Foley invests in Downtown Foley, the district realized $1.3 dollars in private sector enhancements.  FMS has successfully secured $134,838 in external grants over the past five years, injecting capital into the local economy that would otherwise have remained untapped.

In 2025, FMS further strengthened the downtown entrepreneurial ecosystem through targeted business support and professional development. The organization awarded $17,000 in direct marketing grants to local business owners and invested an additional $20,000 of grants into specialized training—including soft skills, customer service, and Google My Business optimization. These initiatives ensure that Foley’s small businesses remain resilient, visible, and equipped to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

"Achieving our 2026 National Accreditation status is a testament to the strategic work our board and partners have accomplished this past year," said Wes Abrams, Foley Main Street Board President. "By pairing private investment with direct support—like our 2025 marketing and training grants—we are not just revitalizing buildings; we are empowering the entrepreneurs who are the heartbeat of Downtown Foley."

ABOUT FOLEY MAIN STREET 

Foley Main Street is a nonprofit organization supported by Main Street Alabama and dedicated to supporting economic vitality, historic preservation, and community development in Downtown Foley. Through partnerships, events, and business support initiatives, Foley Main Street works to strengthen the downtown district while promoting local businesses and enhancing the community experience for residents and visitors.

For more information, visit www.foleymainstreet.com.

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.