Main Street Center for the
National Trust for Historic Preservation

Founded in 1980, National Main Street Center has been working with communities across the nation to revitalize their historic or traditional commercial areas. The Main Street Program is a development program designed to capitalize on the unique character of the downtown area while promoting progressive marketing and management techniques. Economic development within the context of historic preservation is the trust of the program.

In late 1980, six states - Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas - were competitively selected to be Main Street participant states. The states in turn selected five communities to be 1981 Main Street Project cities. Each participating state developed a Main Street assistance program and resource center to serve their pilot cities.

Gainesville was selected as a Main Street city in 1982. It stayed in the program for three years. Gainesville was reaccepted into the program in 2001. The Texas Main Street Program is among the most successful downtown revitalization program in the nation.