Seymour Main Street has been designated as an accredited Main Street America program for meeting performance standards.

Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs to recognize their commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

“We are thrilled for Seymour Main Street to continue to achieve the prestigious designation of an accredited Main Street America program,” Executive Director Bri Roll said. “The partnerships with Indiana Main Street and Main Street America have provided access to tools, resources, trainings and funding to further enhance Seymour Main Street’s revitalization and preservation efforts.”

Seymour Main Street’s performance is annually evaluated by Indiana Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards.

To qualify for accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs and actively preserving historic places, spaces and cultural assets.

Historic Downtown Seymour gained 12 new businesses in 2022, while three closed and two relocated outside of the downtown area.

Downtown Seymour has four additional buildings transforming to active spaces in 2023 and a reactivation of one building vacated that occurred within the last year.

In 2022, Seymour Main Street partnered with more than 50 local businesses to host 14 events, and the organization reported more than 1,000 volunteer hours.

Also in 2022, $115,000 in grant funding was awarded to 16 downtown businesses: Six build-out awards, five façade, awning and sign awards, two rental assistance awards and three roof stabilization awards.

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 leverage 1,528,535 volunteer hours.

On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support its operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities, according to Main Street America.

“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 accredited Main Street America programs and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, interim president and 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.”

Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contributes their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.