06/02/2026
MAIN STREET DILLON, SC RECEIVES DESIGNATION AS A
2026 MAIN STREET AMERICA AFFILIATE PROGRAM
This national designation recognizes Dillon, SC’s strong commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact.
Dillon, SC (May 18, 2026) – Main Street Dillon, SC has been designated as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for meeting high performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the roster of designated programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach™.
“We are proud to recognize Main Street Dillon, SC as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, advisory committee, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “Main Street Dillon demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
Main Street Dillon is one of 453 nationally recognized Affiliate Main Street America programs and is part of a network of more than 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation—Accredited and Affiliate. These designations signal to community members, civic leaders, decision makers, funders, and others that the Main Street program holds an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating economic return, fostering welcoming communities, and creating lasting impact.
Main Street Dillon’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and by Main Street South Carolina, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a framework for reviewing progress, recognizing strengths, understanding trends, and identifying strategies to advance Main Street programs.
To qualify for Affiliate status—Main Street America’s second designation tier—communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and achievement 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 2025, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings, and leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spent on operations, $23.13 was reinvested in its downtown district.
While Main Street Dillon has participated in the Main Street network previously, renewed efforts to actively implement the Main Street Approach® began in August 2024 with a focused commitment to downtown revitalization, organizational development, and long-term planning. Since that time, Main Street Dillon has worked to strengthen its foundation through training, partnership-building, and strategic planning efforts.
In 2025, Dillon hosted a quarterly training session for the Main Street South Carolina network, which included a mini–Transformation Strategy workshop to help identify priorities for downtown revitalization. In addition to ongoing participation in Main Street South Carolina training and programming, Main Street Dillon also participated in the Main Street America Community Transformation Workshop. In 2026, Main Street Dillon began forming an advisory committee to help guide future revitalization efforts and support continued advancement within both Main Street South Carolina and Main Street America. The advisory board is anticipated to be fully inaugurated by the end of May 2026.
“Since renewed efforts began in 2024, we have been building toward this milestone,” said Jennifer Foster, Director of Main Street Dillon, SC. “Becoming a Main Street America Affiliate is an important step for Downtown Dillon. This recognition reflects the progress we’ve made in building partnerships, strengthening our organizational structure, and creating a clear path forward for revitalization and future growth.”
ABOUT MAIN STREET DILLON
Main Street Dillon is a municipality-based downtown revitalization program working to strengthen the heart of Dillon through preservation-based economic development, strategic partnerships, and community-driven investment. Guided by the Main Street Approach®, Main Street Dillon supports downtown businesses, encourages historic preservation, enhances the public realm, and promotes long-term economic vitality while celebrating the character and heritage of downtown Dillon.
Operating through the City of Dillon, Main Street Dillon is a Friends-level member of Main Street South Carolina and a Main Street America Affiliate program working to build the partnerships, organizational strength, and strategic direction needed to expand revitalization efforts and support a vibrant, resilient, and economically strong downtown. For more information, visit Main Street Dillon SC on Facebook or contact the City of Dillon Downtown Development Office at 843-621-9998 or 106 S Railroad Ave, Dillon, South Carolina.
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™. Today, the network includes more than 1,600 communities across the country working to build stronger places through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has resulted in $124.67 billion reinvested locally, 188,583 net new businesses, 852,443 net gains in jobs, 356,424 buildings rehabbed, and 41 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
