WAYNESBORO – Mainstreet Waynesboro has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America™ program, which recognizes community organizations for meeting rigorous performance standards.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners honors Affiliate programs to recognize their commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc. received the affiliate status from Main Street America for 2022, its seventh straight year being recognized. In 2016, Mainstreet Waynesboro was recognized as an MSA Accredited program.
“Our staff and volunteers work very hard at a job that we love,” said Bill Kohler, director of economic development for Mainstreet Waynesboro since 2016. “Our vision is clear and present: Building a vibrant downtown through safe and aesthetic improvements, while attracting new businesses and helping our current ones.”
Kohler said he is honored that the organization is recognized for its efforts, and will continue to look for ways to improve as an organization and partner with local agencies and businesses.
“Partnerships are so meaningful to us on so many levels, and gives us all better buy-in to the community,” Kohler said. “So much goes into all the things we do and I am so grateful to my co-worker Cari Kreps, our board of directors, volunteers and all of the generous people in Waynesboro who support us with their time and donations.”
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 412 Affiliate 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,” she said.
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.
Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
Mainstreet Waynesboro’s performance is annually evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that are committed to comprehensive, place-based revitalization efforts and achieving meaningful community outcomes.
Mainstreet served its mission well in 2022-23, by hosting or co-hosting nearly 50 events downtown, including 21 Market at the Park events, fall Market Day, Chocolate Excursion, Downtown Food Stroll, Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend, Downtown Window StoryWalk, concerts, food truck Fridays and holiday activities.
Those events attracted approximately 50,000 visitors to downtown, Kohler said.
Downtown Waynesboro saw four new businesses open in 2022 after seeing seven new businesses open since the end of 2020. The new businesses opening in 2022 include Allison’s Alterations and Creations, For The Love of Dogs, Dawnlight Yoga Studio and Beautifully Designed Beauty Salon.
