June 21, 2026
NC Department of Commerce
The city of Brevard has been selected to host the 2026 North Carolina Main Street Managers Conference on Aug. 3-6 where more than 100 downtown professionals, NC Main Street leaders and community development partners from across the state to exchange ideas about how to promote downtown business districts.
“This is our chance to show off everything we love about downtown Brevard,” said Heart of Brevard downtown business district Executive Director Nicole Bentley. “These folks spend their days working to make downtowns across North Carolina better places to live, work, and visit, and now they get to experience Brevard for themselves.”
In related developments, the N.C. Department of Commerce recently announced downtown Brevard has received Main Street America accreditation status for 2026.
Each year Main Street America and the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center announce the list of programs to recognize their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
Brevard was among 49 communities across the state to receive 2026 accreditation.
“Communities across our state continue to achieve excellence in economic development as they demonstrate what’s possible when people come together with vision and purpose,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley in a news release. “Their dedication is a reminder that strong downtowns fuel prosperity and are built through passion, perseverance, and partnership.”
The N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet its rigorous performance standards to 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 Main Street America’s top-tier designation, 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.
Since 1980, N.C. Main Street programs have leveraged $6.1 billion in public and private investment, created 39,530 net new jobs, and rehabilitated 8,419 downtown buildings. In 2025, N.C. Main Street and Small Town Main Street downtown districts leveraged $518.7 million in public and private investment, 288 net new businesses, 1,925 net new jobs, 364 façade improvements, 293 building rehabilitations, and recorded 127,806 volunteer hours, valued at more than $4.21 million in time.