24-05-2025
Downtown Frederick Partnership has accreditation renewed
The Downtown Frederick Partnership has had its accreditation renewed for 2025 by the Main Street America organization for its work promoting business in the city's downtown.
The Partnership joins 820 other communities across the country that have met the standards of the national organization, committed to maintaining economic development and community revitalization in towns and cities around the country.
Downtown Frederick Partnership Executive Director Kara Norman said in a press release that the designation shows the organization's ongoing efforts to maintain a vibrant and resilient downtown that reflects the cit's character, history, and entrepreneurial spirit.
To be accredited by the national organization, communities have to demonstrate a proven record of exceptional performance in six areas, according to a press release from the Partnership.
The criteria are:
•broad-based community commitment to revitalization
•inclusive leadership and organizational capacity
•diversified funding and sustainable program operations
•strategy-driven programming
•preservation-based economic development
•demonstrated impact and results.
In 2024, the Partnership facilitated more than 3,146 volunteer hours and supported the opening of 20 new businesses downtown, according to the release.
It also hosted the Main Street Maryland Conference to discuss best practices in downtown revitalization, the state's first such conference.
Along with the Partnership, Frederick County has five other Main Street communities — in Brunswick, Middletown, Mount Airy, New Market, and Thurmont.
