(Danville) — Danville’s top downtown group has gained another big honor.
The River District Association is once again an accredited Main Street program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Main Street America recognizes downtown areas for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
RDA’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Virginia Main Street which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate this year’s 800 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their remarkable efforts to re-energize their local economies and public spaces,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “Main Street leaders are visionaries that see things that no one else can see and create the future world we all want to live in. The size and impact of our network demonstrates that great things happen when visions are realized through strategic, grassroots collaboration.”
Danville is one of 863 Nationally Accredited Main Street programs. This is their tenth consecutive year of accreditation.
“The River District Association is proud to be part of Main Street America and Virginia Main Street. These designations are not easy to acquire or retain, and we are thrilled that RDA has earned the title of “Accredited Main Street” for the 10th year in a row,” said Diana Schwartz, CEO of the River District Association. “Hundreds of communities across the country have used the Main Street Approach to successfully organize their work in historic downtown and commercial business district revitalization for more than 40 years, and we are proud to be part of that legacy.”
The River District Association is marking their 25th anniversary this year. They formed out of the Downtown Danville Association in 1999.
In addition to promoting downtown businesses, the RDA is also developing new business owners. Hundreds have graduated from their Boot Camp program during the past several years.