Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street have announced that Natchitoches Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026.

The accreditation recognizes communities that meet rigorous national standards for downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and economic development through the Main Street Approach.

Natchitoches Main Street was one of 19 Louisiana communities and among 838 programs nationwide to earn Accredited Main Street America status, the organization’s highest recognition level.

“Our historic downtowns are more than gathering places, they are engines of economic development and community pride,” Nungesser said in the announcement. “When Louisiana Main Street districts succeed, entire communities benefit.”

Louisiana Main Street officials said the statewide program has generated more than $1 billion in public and private investment. Additional statewide accomplishments include 17,587 net new jobs created, 4,108 net new businesses opened, more than $613 million invested in construction and rehabilitation projects, and more than 1.3 million volunteer hours contributed.

Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes praised the accredited communities for their commitment to preservation-based economic development and grassroots revitalization efforts.

Communities receiving Accredited status must demonstrate exceptional performance in areas including leadership, sustainable funding, strategy-driven programming, preservation efforts, and measurable community impact.

Main Street America, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has worked for more than four decades to support revitalization efforts in historic downtown districts nationwide.