Downtown Camas Association Receives 2023 Main Street Accreditation

Camas, WA — The Downtown Camas Association 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 acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”

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.

Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.

Downtown Camas Association’s performance is annually evaluated by Washington Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet 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, The Downtown Camas Association (DCA) saw over $475,000 in private investment in downtown building upgrades, 4 new businesses and 6 business expansions, record attendance at First Friday events, and 3083 recorded volunteer hours. Ridgeline lighting upgrades and installations were organized and funded by the DCA on 26 downtown buildings enhancing the evening aesthetic that Downtown Camas is well known for, earning a State Excellence on Main Award. The Downtown Camas Bench Program was launched, 64 flower baskets provided vibrant color throughout downtown, and a stunning new student mural on the Camas Antiques building was completed thanks to mentorship by the DCA and local artist Anna Norris. For further information on DCA impacts, see downtowncamas.com/dca

“We are very proud and honored to be a part of the Main Street America Community,” says Carrie Schulstad, Executive Director of the Downtown Camas Association. “We consider the standards that are held by Main Street America to be the ones that help guide our organization to reach the heights that will truly help our community be healthy, strong and sustainable. Having methods that are proven and a network of people and resources to reach out to as needed are invaluable. The DCA has been accredited through Main Street America since 2017 and they consistently offer new, relevant learning opportunities and are conducting and reporting community research to help us all grow.”

ABOUT DOWNTOWN CAMAS ASSOCIATION

The Downtown Camas Association (DCA) works year-round to strengthen and promote Downtown Camas through partnerships, events, beautification and historic preservation projects, economic development, advocacy, and tourism functions. The DCA is a 501c3 nonprofit Main Street program founded in 2009 and is proud of the economic, social and cultural strength in Downtown Camas that has developed due to downtown revitalization efforts. For more information on the DCA and its initiatives, visit www.downtowncamas.com.  

Written by Downtown Camas Association.