MISSION: The mission of Winnsboro Main Street is to preserve, restore and encourage economic development in the Historic Downtown District. We combine our efforts to this end with those of the City of Winnsboro, Winnsboro-Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Parish Tourism Commission, and the Princess Theatre to improve the quality of life in this city and parish.
VISION: The vision of Winnsboro Main Street is to see the development of a fully restored Historic District with the cultural components of theatre, library, and museum that will be fed by the business generated within the district, as well as its outer realms.
Check this out!
"Main Street Day" at the
State Capitol on May 2, 2023
(pictured from left to right:)
Ray Scriber, LA Main Street Director
Amanda Lanata, LA Main Street Assistant Director
Glen Womack, Senator District 32
Carmen Sims, Winnsboro Main Street Board Member
Sam Sheppard, Winnsboro Main Street Director
Rochelle Kelly, Winnsboro Main Street Board Member
Winnsboro Main Street is Nationally Accredited!
Main Street AmericaTM is a movement. Main Street America has been
helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than
35 years. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic develop-
ment and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small
towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main
Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so
unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street
America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.
Main Street America is a mark of distinction. It is a seal, recognizing that
participating programs, organizations, and communities are part of a
national movement with a proven track record for celebrating community
character, preserving local history, and generating impressive economic
returns. Since 1980, over 2,000 communities have been part of Main Street,
bringing renewed energy and activity to America’s downtowns and
commercial districts, securing $61 billion in new investment creating
more than 525,000 net new jobs and rehabilitating 251,000 buildings.
Main Street America is a time-tested strategy. Main Street America
communities are encouraged to make use of a time-tested approach,
known as the Main Street Approach. The Main Street Approach is rooted
in a commitment to broad-based community engagement, a holistic
understanding of the factors that impact the quality of life in a community,
and strategic focus on the core principles of downtown and neighborhood
revitalization: Economic Vitality, Quality Design, Effective Promotion, and
Sustainable Organization.
Louisiana "Main Street Day" at the State Capitol on May 2, 2023
Senator Glen Womack District 32 pictured with other Louisiana Senators, Main Street Directors, Board Members, and Supporters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2023
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LOUISIANA MAIN STREET ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF
2023 NATIONAL MAIN STREET ACCREDITATION
22 Communities Recognized for Exemplary Commitment to Preservation-based
Economic Development and Community Revitalization
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BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street are proud to announce the 22 Louisiana communities designated as Accredited Main Street America programs for 2023. These Main Street organizations have met rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center and recognized for their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
Louisiana’s nationally accredited Main Street America programs for 2023 are:
Abbeville Main Street (Vermilion Parish)
Crowley Main Street (Acadia Parish)
Denham Springs Main Street (Livingston Parish)
DeRidder Main Street (Beauregard Parish)
Donaldsonville Downtown Development District (Ascension Parish)
Franklin Main Street (St. Mary Parish)
Hammond Downtown Development District (Tangipahoa Parish)
Main Street Homer (Claiborne Parish)
Leesville Main Street (Vernon Parish)
Minden Main Street (Webster Parish)
Morgan City Main Street (St. Mary Parish)
Natchitoches Main Street (Natchitoches Parish)
New Iberia Main Street (Iberia Parish)
New Roads Main Street (Pointe Coupee Parish)
Old Algiers Main Street, Inc. (Orleans Parish)
Downtown Ponchatoula Revitalization Program (Tangipahoa Parish)
Ruston Main Street (Lincoln Parish)
Olde Towne Slidell Main Street (St. Tammany Parish)
St. Francisville Main Street (West Feliciana Parish)
Thibodaux Main Street (Lafourche Parish)
West Monroe Main Street (Ouachita Parish)
Winnsboro Main Street (Franklin Parish)
“Historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts are the heart and soul of communities across Louisiana. They give the community its sense of place and character and provide the uniqueness that sets one community apart from another,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “In addition, historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts are great locations for small businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s an honor to be able to recognize these 22 Louisiana communities who have worked diligently to revitalize their social cohesion and economic sustainability.”
Louisiana Main Street program achieved an historic milestone in 2022 seeing more than $1 billion in public and private investments. Of that investment, $520 million was private investments with the remaining $527 million in public investments. Other key statistics during that time include:
Creation of 10,573 net new jobs
2,282 net new businesses
More than $461 million in new construction or rehabilitation of buildings
More than 2 million volunteer hours
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Louisiana Main Street annually evaluates each state organization’s performance, working in partnership with the National Main Street Center, to identify the local programs meeting ten national 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 programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today, it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who
share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
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"Over the past year the Winnsboro Main Street board of directors and myself have worked really hard to achieve the nationally Accredited designation with Main Street America. We were recognized as an Affiliate Main Street in 2022, and we were determined to set goals and work hard to meet those goals in order to become an Accredited organization. I am very proud of this accomplishment and thankful to the board, the volunteers who partner with us, our local businesses, and the support of our community. We will continue to work hard this next year to maintain this status in the years to come. It does take a lot of commitment and hard work - and our board prioritizes both." says Sam Sheppard, Winnsboro Main Street Director.
The Main Street Approach: the 4 points
Building & property owners, Main Street merchants & tenants - please make sure to complete the Contact form below!
Contact Information Form
Let’s Work Together
P.O. Box 69
513 Prairie Street
Winnsboro, LA 71295
E-Mail: ssheppard.edc@gmail.com
Tel: 318-435-3781
Winnsboro Main Street is a 501(c)(3), dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of Historic Downtown Winnsboro, Louisiana. Donations are tax deductible.
