As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Downtown Waxhaw is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America.

Downtown Waxhaw is also a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Downtown Waxhaw is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation. 

As a Main Street community, our mission is to work toward implementation of goals as established on an annual basis by our Main Street volunteers and to achieve success by following the four-point approach method for downtown revitalization as outlined by the National Main Street Center.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a comprehensive revitalization process designed to improve all aspects of a downtown. The four-point approach was created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation through their National Main Street Center (NMSC). They have refined the techniques necessary for successful downtown revitalization. The North Carolina Main Street Center directs the Main Street Program in this state through the Division of Community Assistance in the Department of Commerce.

The four-point approach:

• Organization: Builds partnerships to create a consistent revitalization program and develop effective management and leadership downtown. Diverse groups made up of merchants, bankers, public officials, the business association, and civic groups must work together to improve downtown.

• Promotions: Reestablishes downtown as a compelling place for shoppers, investors and visitors. This means not only improving sales but also rekindling community excitement and involvement. Promotion ranges from street festivals to retail merchandising, from community education to marketing and public relations.

• Design: Enhances the visual quality of the downtown. Attention is given to the downtown environment elements - not just buildings and storefronts but also public improvements, rear entries, signs, landscaping, window displays, and graphic materials.

• Economic Vitality: Strengthens the existing economic assets of the business district while diversifying its economic base. Activities include conducting market analyses to understand the changing marketplace, business recruitment, and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street's traditional merchants.

 Main Street Statistics

Downtown Waxhaw is home to more than 100 small businesses, with over 750 employees. 

View our 2022 Annual Report. 

Since 2009:

• 83 Building Rehabs
• 15 Façade Renovations
• 39 Public Improvement Projects
• $26 Million in Total Investment
• 60 Net New Businesses
• 306 Net New Jobs
• 8,869 Volunteer Hours, worth $209,671