One of only four accredited Main Street programs in Delaware, Downtown Milford, Inc. received reaccreditation status at the quarterly Main Street Delaware meeting, held in the community room of the Milford Police Department. Milford joins Downtown Wilmington Visions, Downtown Dover Partnership and Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc. in accreditation.
“In order to achieve accreditation status, an organization must have broad-based community commitment to revitalization, inclusive leadership and organizational capacity and diversified funding and sustainable program operations,” Anastasia Jackson, Kent County Regional Business Manager and Delaware on Main Street Statewide Coordinator, said. “They also must have preservation-based economic development while demonstrating impact and results.”
In addition to the four accredited programs who were recognized, eleven other state programs received affiliate status. These included the City of Harrington, the City of Seaford, Cornerstone West CDC, Main Street Delaware City, Middletown Main Street, Milton Main Street, New Castle County Council, Old Brandywine Village, Smyrna on Main Street, Town of Georgetown and the Newark Partnership.
“In 2024, Main Street programs generated $270,684,858 million in local reinvestment, assisted in the creation of 175 full-time and 426 part-time jobs, and helped open 67 new businesses,” Jackson said. “The program also completed 50 rehabilitation projects, 18 public improvement projects and 69 new construction projects. For every dollar spent on program operations, an average of $21.73 was reinvested into downtown and commercial corridor communities.”
According to Downtown Milford, Inc., festivals held by the organization brought over 15,000 visitors to the town. The Small Business Association states that one festival goer spends an average of $150 during their attendance. This may have resulted in festivals like Bug and Bud, Holiday Stroll and others bringing an estimated $2.25 million in economic benefits to Milford.
“We are extremely proud to receive our accreditation renewal,” Terry Rogers, President of Downtown Milford, Inc., said. “We are a volunteer driven organization built by people with a passionate commitment to creating a thriving, exciting downtown. Being recognized for the hard work we do every day is rewarding.”
