Organization Earns Top Marks for Accomplishments
Jeffersonville Main Street has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America program for meeting professional performance standards for downtown revitalization. Accredited status is the top tier of recognition for Main Street organizations and signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive downtown revitalization and a proven track record of success.
“Downtown Jeffersonville has seen major improvements in the past 30 years, and we truly appreciate that our efforts have been recognized by Main Street America once again,” said State Representative Rita Fleming, President of Jeffersonville Main Street’s Board of Directors. “The leadership of our staff is outstanding and the dedication of our volunteers is amazing.”
Through small business assistance, special events, placemaking, and historic preservation, Jeffersonville Main Street has dedicated itself to continuing the revitalization achievements in downtown Jeffersonville that have made it a vibrant place again.
“We are proud to acknowledge this year’s 860 nationally accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to strengthen their communities,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These Accredited Main Street programs have proven to be powerful engines for revitalization by sparking impressive economic returns and preserving the character of their communities. During these challenging times, these Main Street programs will be key to bringing economic vitality back to commercial districts and improving quality of life during the recovery process.”
Jeffersonville Main Street’s performance was evaluated by the State of Indiana’s Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet ten rigorous performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.
“We are honored to attain this highest level of accreditation, as it demonstrates the quality of the work we are doing” said said Jay Ellis, Executive Director of Jeffersonville Main Street, Jeffersonville’s nonprofit downtown revitalization organization. “Without the support of our partners, sponsors, volunteers, the city, and community, this work would not be possible.” “We want to see downtown Jeffersonville continue to grow, said Ellis. “And Jeffersonville Main Street will strive to keep downtown as a place where people come together to shop, dine, live, and play.”
Ellis said this designation as nationally accredited organization is a wonderful distinction for Jeffersonville Main Street and a good indicator of the achievements made in downtown Jeffersonville. “Downtown Jeffersonville is the heartbeat of our community,” said Ellis. “The small businesses and the built environment here give our community its sense of place that make it unique, the people make it vibrant.”
In 2019 alone, $6.45 billion of public and private reinvestment was generated, 6,466 net new businesses were opened, 32,316 net new were jobs created, and 10,412 buildings were rehabilitated nationally in Main Street America communities.
Jeffersonville Main Street, Inc. is the Downtown Revitalization Organization for Jeffersonville, Indiana. It is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization working to continue the revitalization of the commercial and residential districts of Downtown Jeffersonville. The Main Street organization oversees a wide array of projects from hosting downtown events and business development to building renovations and assisting with streetscape enhancements. The organization uses skills in design, promotion, organization, and economic vitality to achieve its goals.
