Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  Foley Main Street has earned one of the most respected honors in community development. The organization has been named a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program. This designation is the highest recognition given by Main Street America, a national nonprofit with more than 40 years of experience. It puts Foley in a select group of communities leading the way in downtown revitalization.

Main Street America recently announced the accreditation, which recognizes programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. Foley Main Street has been part of the Main Street movement since its founding in 2018. Since then, it has grown into a major force for economic change in downtown Foley.

Foley Main Street is one of only 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations. It is also part of a broader network of more than 1,600 communities working to transform commercial districts across the United States. That network has delivered powerful results over the decades. Since 1980, the movement has led to $124.67 billion reinvested locally and more than 852,000 net new jobs created nationwide.

Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, praised the local program for its dedication. "We are proud to recognize Foley Main Street as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary ability of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to your community's needs," Barnes said. She added that Foley Main Street "demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special."

To earn the Accredited designation — the top tier offered by Main Street America — a program must demonstrate strong results across six key areas. These areas include broad community commitment, inclusive leadership, diversified funding, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development, and demonstrated impact. It is a high bar to clear, and only a fraction of programs nationwide reach it.

Foley Main Street's performance was reviewed by its staff and board of directors, as well as by Main Street Alabama. That state-level partner works alongside Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national standards. The evaluation process measures real progress and highlights areas where programs are making a lasting difference.

The numbers tell a compelling story for downtown Foley. Since Foley Main Street launched in 2018, the district has attracted $18 million in private investment and $13.5 million in public improvements. For every dollar the City of Foley invests in the downtown district, $1.30 returns through private-sector growth. The organization has also secured $134,838 in external grants over the past five years.

In 2025, Foley Main Street took steps to meaningfully support local business owners. The organization awarded $17,000 in direct marketing grants to small businesses in the downtown area. It also invested $20,000 in specialized training programs covering soft skills, customer service, and tools such as Google My Business. These efforts are designed to help local entrepreneurs remain competitive and visible in a changing marketplace.

The 2025 results demonstrate how much the Main Street model can accomplish when communities remain committed. Nationally, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment that year. They also welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, created 36,549 net new jobs, and rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings. Volunteers contributed 1.8 million hours of service. On average, every dollar spent on operations returned $23.13 in downtown reinvestment.

Wes Abrams, Foley Main Street Board President, said the accreditation reflects the hard work of everyone involved. "Achieving our 2026 National Accreditation status is a testament to the strategic work our board and partners have accomplished over the past year," Abrams said. "By pairing private investment with direct support — such as our 2025 marketing and training grants — we are revitalizing buildings and empowering the entrepreneurs who are the heartbeat of Downtown Foley."

Foley Main Street is a nonprofit organization supported by Main Street Alabama. It focuses on economic vitality, historic preservation, and community development in downtown Foley. Through partnerships, events, and business support initiatives, the organization strengthens the district for residents and visitors alike. More information is available at www.foleymainstreet.com.