SAN ANGELO, TX – Downtown San Angelo, Inc. has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting "rigorous performance standards," according to information shared by Downtown San Angelo.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their "exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach."
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited.
"These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact," information from Downtown San Angelo stated.
“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street America programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation.”
San Angelo’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Downtown San Angelo, Inc., 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 foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that 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 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.
In 2024, Downtown San Angelo demonstrated strong economic vitality and a commitment to growth, recording an impressive $15,024,110 in reinvestment. This figure includes private and public sector funding directed toward building renovations, infrastructure improvements, business development, and beautification projects.
Accompanying this financial reinvestment was a net gain of 8 new businesses. These new establishments span a variety of industries — retail, hospitality, food services, and professional services — contributing to a more diverse and dynamic downtown environment. The growth in businesses also translates into new job opportunities, increased foot traffic, and enhanced experiences for residents and visitors.
"Together, these indicators showcase the momentum of Downtown San Angelo's revitalization efforts, affirming its role as a thriving center for economic development and community engagement," information stated.
“One of the things I’ve loved most this year is seeing how local businesses and individuals have come together to create such a welcoming, energetic vibe downtown," said Monica Ramos, Executive Director of Downtown San Angelo. "From pop-up markets to community events, there’s been a real sense of collaboration and pride. We’re lucky to have so many great assets here — historic buildings, unique shops, art, culture, and passionate people who care deeply about our community. Sometimes those things can go unnoticed, but they’re what make downtown truly special.”
ABOUT DOWNTOWN SAN ANGELO, INC.
Downtown San Angelo, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and revitalizing the heart of our city. Through strong partnerships, community events, and strategic development efforts, we work to create a vibrant, welcoming downtown that supports local businesses, honors our history, and brings people together. Whether it’s through beautification projects, public events, or business support, our mission is to make Downtown San Angelo a place where people want to live, work, and connect. For more information, visit downtownsanangelo.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™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $115.42 billion reinvested locally, 181,647 net new businesses, 815,895 net new jobs, 345,801 buildings rehabilitated, and 37.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
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