The City of Lenoir Main Street Department has once again been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program in 2023. This accreditation is Main Street America’s top-tier recognition.

The City of Lenoir became North Carolina’s twelfth Main Street America Community in 1984. Since then, the number of Main Street and Small Town Main Street communities has grown to 70.

Main Street Director Kaylynn Horn said that accreditation is not a given, and staff has to work every year to meet specific benchmarks. Since 2018, Lenoir’s Main Street program has won eight N.C. Main Street awards including Best Economic Recovery Initiative: Pivots, Participation, & Patronage (PPP) with Digital Platforms Initiatives, Best Endangered Property Rescue: Stine’s Ice Cream Parlor Building at 818 Harper Avenue, and Best Volunteer Recruitment: Training and Recognition Development Program, Be A Part of What Makes This Work.

Thanks to Main Street staff, Lenoir is one of 12 communities across the country that was awarded a National Park Service/Main Street America Façade Improvement grant. The grant funding was awarded to make improvements to 814 Harper Ave. The building now houses the Wolf Moon Salt Cave and Stress Reduction Center.

Full details on the accreditation, go to this link https://www.cityoflenoir.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=410 For more information about downtown events, programs, businesses, and opportunities, visit www.DowntownLenoirNC.com. For more information about Main Street America, visit www.mainstreet.org.