The Main Street approach to downtown revitalization was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Trust saw an ever-escalating loss of historic commercial architecture and loss of community sense of history. To stop this trend, the trust began in 1977 to develop a model for downtown historic preservation. The process is a four-point approach that addresses organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring.

Main Street Greenville is a program of the Greater Greenville Development Foundation, which was formed out of the Chamber of Commerce in 1995. Today it is a separate organization with its own Board of Directors and volunteer pool. Main Street Greenville is also a State and Nationally Accredited Main Street Program.

Main Street Greenville is a non-profit public private partnership funded by the City of Greenville and private donations. We work through a 12-member volunteer Board of Directors; much of our work is accomplished through volunteer committees.

Downtown is a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride and community history. These are all factors in industrial, commercial and professional recruitment.

• A vital downtown retains and creates jobs, which also means a stronger tax base. Long-term revitalization establishes capable businesses that use public services and provide tax revenues for the community.
  
• Downtown is a good incubator for new businesses – the building blocks of a healthy economy. Strip centers and malls are often too expensive for new entrepreneurs.
  
• A healthy downtown core can increase and protect property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.
  
• The traditional commercial district (downtown) is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn:
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• Keep profit in town.
  
• Support local families with family owned businesses.
  
• Support local community projects, such as the Mainstream Arts & Crafts Festival, July 4th Celebration, Christmas Parade, Farmers’ Market, etc.
• Provide a stable economic foundation, as opposed to a few larger businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community.
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• A revitalized downtown increases the community’s options for goods and services (food, clothing, professional services, housing and entertainment).
  
• Downtown provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Special events and celebrations held downtown help reinforce an intangible sense of community.
  
• Downtown becomes a tourist attraction by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selection of unique businesses and events.