Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Earns 2026 Main Street America Accreditation

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) has been named a 2026 Main Street America Accredited Program, the highest level of national recognition for organizations leading preservation-based economic development in historic commercial districts.

Accreditation from Main Street America signifies that a downtown program is a high-performing leader in community-driven revitalization and has met rigorous national standards for excellence. Accredited programs must demonstrate measurable impact and sustained success across the Six Standards of Success, including strong community commitment, inclusive leadership, sustainable operations, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development, and measurable results.

This recognition marks a major milestone for Downtown Smithfield, which lost accreditation five years ago. In 2024, Executive Director Heidi Gilmond and a restructured Board of Directors began implementing a strategic plan focused on restoring the program, strengthening partnerships, and putting the Main Street Approach™ back to work in Downtown Smithfield.

“Regaining Main Street America accreditation is an incredible accomplishment for our organization and our community,” said Gilmond. “It validates the hard work, collaboration, and commitment that has taken place over the past year and a half. This recognition confirms that Downtown Smithfield is moving in the right direction and building momentum for long-term success.”

The DSDC and its partners have made significant progress through collaboration with Johnston County, the Town of Smithfield, and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau. Together, they revitalized a key downtown corner by creating a new park near the library, with a community-driven naming ceremony planned and a new mural to be installed in the coming weeks.

As part of its ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, the DSDC has focused on improving visibility, supporting local businesses, and creating a stronger experience for residents and visitors.

Recent efforts include:

• Launching a new downtown brand and website to better promote businesses and events
• Awarding more than $20,000 in grants to help support new downtown businesses 
• Creating a façade improvement grant to encourage storefront upgrades and enhanced visibility.
• Expanding public art projects, including new murals 
• Developing downtown design standards to help preserve the area’s historic character
• Hosting five annual signature events that bring more than 20,000 visitors downtown each year that in turn generates more than $2 million in economic impact for local restaurants, retailers, hotels, and service providers.
• Launching a volunteer program to encourage greater community involvement and strengthen local engagement in downtown revitalization efforts
• Continuing work with developers and investors to attract new businesses, support building improvements and encourage new development while also working with the county and town to find ways to keep investment money downtown.

In 2025 alone, Downtown Smithfield saw $2.8 million in private investment and $230,000 in public investment, demonstrating growing confidence in the district’s future.

“Revitalization takes time, persistence, and collaboration,” Gilmond added. “We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to ensuring Downtown Smithfield becomes an even more vibrant and economically vital part of Smithfield and Johnston County.”