The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street and Rural Planning Center has announced that Thomasville has been designated as a North Carolina Main Street Community, while Siler City has been selected to join the Downtown Associate Community (DAC) program. These designations took effect on July 1, 2025.
Governor Josh Stein expressed his support for the new additions, stating, “North Carolina’s main streets attract millions of visitors each year while providing jobs, culture, and community. I am pleased to welcome Thomasville and Siler City to the Main Street program, and I look forward to seeing them continue to bring economic opportunity to their towns.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley also welcomed the communities into the programs. He noted that “Our Main Street programs provide economic development support through historic preservation, strategic planning, and public-private partnerships that can lead to more vibrant downtowns with increased economic activity and prosperity.”
Thomasville achieved its designation after fulfilling national downtown development requirements. The town participated in the DAC program for two years before earning this status. As a Main Street community, Thomasville will have access to resources aimed at implementing a comprehensive downtown revitalization strategy focused on economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization.
The DAC program is designed around creating strategies for economic development using an implementation plan based on the Four-Point Approach methodology developed by the National Main Street Center. This approach emphasizes economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. The N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center operates under similar programming guidelines.
Siler City will receive two years of technical assistance services valued at $30,000 through the DAC program. If it meets specific requirements within this period, Siler City may be eligible for an official Main Street designation in 2027.
Reginald Speight from Rural Economic Development praised Thomasville’s efforts: “We congratulate Thomasville on its incredible work to earn its Main Street designation.” He also highlighted potential benefits for Siler City: “In due time, Siler City will see the benefits of its early investments through the Downtown Associate Community program.”
Since 1980, N.C. Main Street communities have attracted over $5.58 billion in public and private investment in their downtown areas while creating more than 37,605 net new jobs and rehabilitating 7,500 buildings.
Liz Parham from N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center commented on both towns’ future prospects: “We’re delighted to help Siler City strengthen their revitalization efforts… Thomasville has unique assets that they will expand through the Main Street program.”
The N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center serves as North Carolina’s state coordinating body for Main Street America—a national initiative supporting historic commercial district revitalization since 1980.
For further details about these initiatives or other related information visit their website.
