South Huntsville Main Business Association
Receives 2022 Main Street America Accreditation
Huntsville, AL June 14, 2022 – South Huntsville Main 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 Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
“We are extremely proud to recognize this year’s 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”
In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.
The South Huntsville Main Business Associations’ performance is annually evaluated by Mainstreet Alabama, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
Over the past year, the South Huntsville Main Business Association has continued to provide their member businesses with support to be successful. Many events like The Cookie Crunch, Progressive Dinners and Business Builder’s Breakfasts encourage business growth. Shopping guides for the Holiday Season, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day helped guide customers to member businesses. The SHMBA is also proud to support Rosie’s Spring Festival, The BBQ and Bluegrass Festival and the upcoming Krampus 5K.
All of these happenings bring business to the district and increase commerce to our area.
“South Huntsville is becoming the ideal location to create new events and be home to the center of activity for a growing city,” said Katie Patterson, Executive Director of South Huntsville Main Business Association. “We are honored to be accredited again this year and value the resources that Main Street Alabama provides to our community for continued growth and economic vitality.”
ABOUT SOUTH HUNTSVILLE MAIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
The South Huntsville Main Business Association supports, promotes, and advocates for businesses in South Huntsville. We are dedicated to developing and maintaining a healthy, thriving business climate in South Huntsville by supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses. We work hand-in-hand with South Huntsville businesses, the City of Huntsville, and community stakeholders to enhance the quality of life for South Huntsville residents. In 2018, we became a Main Street Alabama designated community. The Main Street Alabama designation will give South Huntsville the tools it needs to revitalize and thrive.
The South Huntsville Main Business Association gives members the opportunity to connect, network, grow, and share ideas to make South Huntsville a great place to do business. We serve as a central point of connection between the City of Huntsville and South Huntsville businesses.
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 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $95.33 billion in new public and private investment, generated 161,036 net new businesses and 717,723 net new jobs, and rehabilitated more than 314,431 buildings. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
