Vicksburg named as nationally accredited Main Street Community in Mississippi

The following Main Street communities in Mississippi have been designated as Accredited Main Street America programs for meeting rigorous performance standards.

Each year, Main Street America and the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) announce the Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach .

The 2024 Accredited Main Street Communities in Mississippi include:

Aberdeen, Amory, Baldwyn, Batesville, Biloxi, Booneville, Byhalia, Cleveland, Clinton, Columbus, Corinth, Crystal Springs, Greenville, Greenwood, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Hernando, Holly Springs, Itawamba County, Kosciusko, Laurel, Leake County, Louisville, Meridian, Moss Point, Natchez, Nettleton, New Albany, Ocean Springs, Okolona, Pascagoula, Pearl, Philadelphia, Picayune, Pontotoc County, Ripley, Saltillo, Senatobia, Starkville, Sumrall, Tunica, Tupelo, Vicksburg, Water Valley, West Point and Woodville.

“We are incredibly excited to celebrate this year’s Accredited Main Street America programs and their remarkable efforts to reenergize their local economies and public spaces,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “Main Street leaders are visionaries that see things that no one else can see and create the future world we all want to live in. The size and impact of our network demonstrates that great things happen when visions are realized through strategic, grassroots collaboration.”

In 2023, Mississippi Main Street’s Designated communities generated 372 new businesses, 71 business expansions to existing businesses, 868 new jobs, 170 building rehabilitations and 704 downtown living spaces. In addition, 139 public improvement projects were completed as well as 70 new construction projects in historic downtown business districts.

More than $326 million was invested by the public and private sectors in 2023 and more than 46,919 volunteer hours were recorded.

MMSA currently has 48 Designated Main Street communities, two network communities and 30 associate members.

“MMSA evaluates our local Main Street programs’ performance annually and we work in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that are committed to comprehensive revitalization and achieving meaningful community outcomes,” said Jim Miller MMSA Executive Director. “We congratulate all of our nationally accredited and affiliate programs and remain committed to assisting every community to achieve the highest recognition.”