Downtown Joplin Alliance designated an accredited Main Street America program

Yahoo

24-05-2025

The Downtown Joplin Alliance has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program.
Lori Haun, executive director of the DJA, said in a statement: 'Being an Accredited Main Street program enables DJA to benefit from a nationwide coalition of Main Streets, consultants and mentors with an ever-growing wealth of best practices and knowledge at their disposal. This guidance allows for us to maintain steady progression and growth, even in chaotic times.'
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — affiliate and accredited. To quality for accredited status — Main Street America's top designation tier—communities must show a track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach 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.
Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, said in a statement: 'Their tireless efforts show what's possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation.'
Downtown Joplin Alliance's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Missouri Main Street Connection, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet national community evaluation standards.
In 2024, Downtown Joplin had nearly 350 housing units, with a 96% occupancy rate, with 200 additional units in development. Joplin's downtown is home to more than 500 businesses employing more than 5,000 people, many based in one of the 249 historic buildings in the district. Last year, Downtown Joplin Alliance accrued nearly 5,400 volunteer hours and was awarded $124,000 in grant funds.
Last year, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours.