This highest national designation recognizes downtown Laramie’s exceptional commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact
Laramie Main Street has been designated as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the roster of designated programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach™.
“We are proud to recognize Laramie Main Street as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “Laramie Main Street demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
Laramie Main Street is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations and is a part of a network of over 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Accredited and Affiliate.
These designations are a badge of excellence and a powerful tool, signaling to community members, civic leaders, decision makers, funders, and others that the Main Street program holds an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting positive impact.
Laramie Main Street’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Wyoming Main Street, 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 framework for reviewing progress, recognizing strengths, understanding trends, and identifying strategies to move Main Street programs forward.
To qualify for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proven 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 2025, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings, and leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spent on operations, $23.13 was reinvested in its downtown district.
Return on Investment
In 2025, Laramie Main Street welcomed 16 net new businesses, creating 40 net new jobs. Downtown benefited from 24 private renovation projects worth $1.5 million and $6.7 million in public improvements, including upgrades to Third Street and City Hall. Events and strategic programs were supported by 1,451 volunteer hours worth $50,480. On average, for every one dollar Laramie Main Street spent on operations, another $36 was reinvested downtown - higher than the national average.
For more information about our 2025 achievements, please access our annual report here:
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ABOUT:
Laramie Main Street strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality through the implementation of transformation strategies that preserve the district as a home for entrepreneurs, with a focus on authentic consumer experiences and creative third spaces. Laramie Main Street Alliance is a member of the Wyoming Main Street Program. For more information, visit laramiemainstreet.org.
About
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™. Today, the network includes more than 1,600 communities across the country working to build stronger places through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has resulted in $124.67 billion reinvested locally, 188,583 net new businesses, 852,443 net gain in jobs, 356,424 buildings rehabbed, and 41 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.