Marion Business Association has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. 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.

“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.”

Marion Business Association’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by
the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and NC Main Street, 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 quality for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top
designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proved 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, Marion had $3,869,936 in reinvestment in its downtown district, reflecting the community’s continued commitment to revitalization and growth. The Marion Business Association supported this progress through initiatives such as the Growing Entrepreneurs Marion (GEM) program, façade improvement grants to enhance downtown design, and organizing community events that draw people to downtown Marion. These efforts align with the core principles of the Main Street Approach, including economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. Marion is proud to have maintained alignment with these principles and received continuous accreditation since 2013.

Source: Marion Business Association.