(Joplin, MO) – Downtown Joplin Alliance (DJA) 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.”
Downtown Joplin Alliance’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Missouri Main Street Connection, 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.
In 2024, Downtown Joplin had nearly 350 housing units, with a 96% occupancy rate, with 200 additional units currently in development. Our downtown is the home of over 500 businesses, employing well over 5,000 individuals, and many of based of one of the 249 historic buildings in the district. Last year, Downtown Joplin Alliance accrued nearly 5,400 volunteer hours and was awarded $124,000 in grant funds, all helping the organization to maintain the accreditation status from National Main Street.
Lori Haun, Executive Director, Downtown Joplin Alliance: “Being an Accredited Main Street program enables DJA to benefit from a nationwide coalition of Main Streets, consultants, and mentors with an ever-growing wealth of best practices and knowledge at their disposal. This guidance allows for us to maintain steady progression and growth, even in chaotic times.”
About Downtown Joplin Alliance:
Downtown Joplin Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the downtown community as a thriving, safe and attractive center of art, history, enterprise, commerce, culture, residence and entertainment. Downtown Joplin is host to many monthly, seasonal, and annual events designed to encourage community involvement and stimulate the local economy.
Reference:
Ivy Hagedorn, Programming and Marketing Director
Downtown Joplin Alliance
ivy@downtownjoplin.com
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