Posted on June 24, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: TOWN OF BERLIN/BERLIN MAIN STREET
IVY WELLS, DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 410-629-1722 iwells@berlinmd.gov
BERLIN MAIN STREET
DESIGNATED AS A 2025 ACCREDITED PROGRAM BY MAIN STREET AMERICA
BERLIN, MARYLAND – Berlin Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited. These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.
“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street America programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “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.”
Berlin Main Street’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Main Street Maryland, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proved track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach and exceptional performance 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.
In 2024, 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. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.
Berlin Main Street was named a 2025 Top 10 Great American Main Street by Main Street America.
“Berlin’s Main Street is thriving because we focus on both preserving history and planning for the future, and this accreditation affirms we’re on the right path and motivates us to keep that momentum going.” Said Ivy Wells, Economic and Community Development Director and Manager of the Berlin Main Street Program and Arts and Entertainment District.
“Being accredited with the National Main Street Center is a testament to our commitment to preserving and enhancing the unique character of our downtown. This recognition strengthens our sense of pride and provides a solid foundation for continued growth and success.” Said Mayor Zack Tyndall.
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ABOUT BERLIN MAIN STREET
The Berlin Main Street Program has been the catalyst in transforming downtown Berlin into the thriving, vibrant place it is today. Berlin Main Street is a part of the Maryland Main Street Program which strives to strengthen the economic potential of Maryland’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods. For more information visit www.berlinmainstreet.com.
ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA
Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $115.42 billion reinvested locally, 181,647 net new businesses, 815,895 net new jobs, 345,801 buildings rehabilitated, and 37.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
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