Main Street

Downtown Elkin and the NC Main Street Program

 Elkin NC Main St

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Since 1980, the North Carolina Main Street Center had traditionally selected communities every two years to participate in the Main Street Program.  Elkin applied and was selected as a North Carolina Main Street City in April of 1998, along with Monroe, Oxford, and Sparta.

In March 1999, the Elkin Town Board appointed the Elkin Main Street Program Committee (Main Street Advisory Board, or MSAB).  This board, along with Elkin's Main Street Manager, works with other groups (such as Downtown Elkin Business Association, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Explore Elkin, and local civic organizations and businesses) to promote and expand downtown events and tourism. 

The North Carolina Main Street Program is a part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This human and reference center works to stimulate comprehensive revitalization utilizing the four-point approach. The Main Street Program is designed to improve all aspects of downtown, producing both tangible and intangible benefits.

MSA LOGO 23 ACCREDITED

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Elkin's Main Street Department is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.


Testimonials from downtown businesses

"The Elkin Main Street Board plays an important role of making the business feel like they are together and part of a real group, and have helped the library "belong" to NC Trail Days and the Downtown events through scavenger hunts.  When I have a question I don't know who to ask, I say see if the Main Street Manager knows.  In general, when trying to coordinate activities -- many voices working together can make a bigger noise." 
-  Martha Smith, Elkin Public Library 

"We love the downtown monthly updates and the Salon, Retail and Eateries sheet because we provide them to all new people moving to the area at their closing. This gives them a good basis for where to start to get their feet wet, meet local people, and get involved in the community. Thank you!!" 
-  Emily Barr Andrews, Attorney at Law, PLLC

 

FOUR-POINT APPROACH

Elkin utilizes the comprehensive Main Street Four-Point Approach to redevelop and improve all aspects of downtown in a strategic manner:

  • Organization: This improvement approach is based on building partnerships to create a consistent revitalization program and develop effective management and leadership downtown. Diverse groups – merchants, bankers, public officials, the chamber of commerce and civic groups must work together to improve downtown.
  • Promotion: Reestablishing downtown as a compelling place for shoppers, investors and visitors. This means not only improving sales but also rekindling community excitement and involvement. Promotion ranges from street festivals to retail merchandising, from community education to marketing and public relations.
  • Design: Enhancing the visual quality of downtown. Attention is given to the downtown environment elements – not just buildings and storefronts but also public improvements, rear entries, signs, landscaping, window displays, and graphic materials.
  • Economic Vitality: Strengthening the existing economic assets of the business district while diversifying its economic base. Activities include conducting market analysis to understand the changing market place, adapting vacant buildings that have outlived their original purposes for use as entertainment or cultural facilities and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street’s traditional merchants.

Below is the Main Street Advisory Board's Vision, Mission and Strategy:

Economic Positioning/Vision:  Elkin is the most creatively connected downtown in the heart of the Yadkin Valley wine, trail, and cultural arts region.

Mission: Elkin Main Street advisory board serves to collaborate and connect the community and organizations to support and develop a thriving downtown.

Implementation Strategy:  Elkin is a designated NC Main Street community.  The Town of Elkin has charged the town’s Main Street & Community Manager with the administration of the Main Street program at the local level in collaboration with the Elkin Main Street Advisory Board.  The Town of Elkin uses the Main Street America ™ model of establishing economic development strategies and applying the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality, to implement a plan that achieves measurable results.



Other regional partners our Main Street Advisory Board has worked with include:

  • North Carolina's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
  • North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund (NCTTFC)  
  • Surry County Farmers Market
  • Take a Break from the Interstate 
  • Preservation NC 
  • Appalachian Regional Council  (ARC)
  • Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC)
  • The Rural Center
  • Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Surry Telephone
  • Duke Energy


NC Main Street Program AWARDS for Downtown Elkin

Downtown Elkin Main Street Champions

Dan Butner is our Main Street Champion for 2022. Click here to see the write up and video from the NC Main Street conference in Statesville this year, where he accepted the award. 

John Check was nominated as our Main Street Champion in 2019.  Follow this link to his video Vimeo or at  https://www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com/post/john-cheek-elkin


2019 NC MAIN STREET AWARDS: 
Award of Merit for Best Innovation- Explore Elkin
Explore Elkin is our partner for downtown promotions and marketing.  Check this link to the Explore Elkin Award Video:  https://www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com/post/explore-elkin 

2018 NC MAIN STREET AWARDS:
1)
Rock Facade Linear Park (Elkin) from NC Main Street Center on Vimeo.

and  

2) Reeves Theater Renovation (Elkin) from NC Main Street Center on Vimeo.



Additonal Main Street Awards for downtown Elkin also include:


2016 Maggy's Place for its historic restoration project   https://www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com/post/maggy-s-place-elkin-nc 
2016 Mural Projects  in downtown Elkin
2014 The Liberty Tobacco Warehouse historic renovation 
2011 Best Branding & Image Building Campaign for downtown


MSA LOGO 23 ACCREDITED     
As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Elkin's Main Street Department is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.


NC Main Street Community_FINAL_4C_Vertical
Elkin is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  The Elkin Main Street Advisory Board is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation. 




Mailing Address

Post Office Box 857 Elkin, North Carolina 28621

Street Address

226 North Bridge Street Elkin, North Carolina 28621

Facebook: Elkin NC, Explore Elkin  
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