discovereaston.com
Easton, MD– The Easton Economic Development Corporation (Easton EDC) 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 Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
“We are very proud to be one of the 862 programs receiving accreditation this year,” remarked Holly DeKarske, Executive Director, Easton EDC. “Every visitor to our town has an economic impact that ripples far beyond their stay, and supporting our local community has significant positive implications for residents, business owners, and visitors.”
Easton EDC’s performance is annually evaluated by Main Street Maryland, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To qualify for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
The Easton EDC impacts the wider community by creating events in the downtown area that bring visitors in to enjoy its retail establishments, restaurants, and other local attractions. Its signature events, including Chesapeake Fire and Ice, May Day Flower Celebration, and the Fall Festival, bring in thousands of visitors. During the year, Easton EDC, under the brand name Discover Easton, hosts over a dozen events and supports many more with logistics planning, marketing campaigns, and financial support. For more information on events supported by the Easton EDC, please visit: www.discovereaston.com
