Main Street Fountain Inn Recognized as a 2026 Main Street America Affiliate Program

Pictured left to right: Jenny Boulware, Main Street South Carolina Manager, Amanda Benfield, City of Fountain Inn Director of Community Relations, Clare Jones, Main Street Fountain Inn Coordinator, & Jonathan Irick, Staff Associate for Main Street SC Municipal Association of South Carolina

Main Street Fountain Inn has once again been designated as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program, a national recognition that highlights the City’s continued commitment to downtown revitalization, preservation-based economic development, and meaningful local impact.

Each year, Main Street America and its coordinating partners recognize local programs that meet strong performance standards and demonstrate a commitment to improving their downtown districts through the Main Street Approach™. This designation reflects the ongoing work happening in Downtown Fountain Inn to support local businesses, preserve the community’s historic character, and strengthen the district as a welcoming place for residents, business owners, and visitors.

“We are proud to recognize Main Street Fountain Inn as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “Main Street Fountain Inn demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”

Main Street Fountain Inn is one of 453 nationally recognized Affiliate Main Street America organizations and is part of a larger network of more than 1,600 communities across the country working to strengthen historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

The Affiliate designation is Main Street America’s second national designation tier and serves as an important signal to community members, civic leaders, funders, and partners that a local Main Street program is actively engaged in a proven, nationwide movement for community-based revitalization.

To qualify for Affiliate status, communities must demonstrate strong commitment to the Main Street model and show progress in key areas, including community support for revitalization, inclusive leadership, sustainable operations, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development, and measurable local impact.

For Main Street Fountain Inn, that impact is clear. Based on local 2025 data, the program helped generate a net of 18 new jobs and supported the creation of six new businesses. Downtown also saw 28 rehabilitation projects and two public improvement projects, helping preserve the character of the district while supporting continued growth. Altogether, these efforts attracted more than $8.1 million in combined public and private investment.

The success of Main Street Fountain Inn is also rooted in community support. In 2025, volunteers contributed more than 2,100 hours to help strengthen downtown programs, events, and revitalization efforts.

"This Affiliate designation is a meaningful recognition of the work happening every day to strengthen Downtown Fountain Inn,” said Amanda Benfield, Director of Community Relations for the City of Fountain Inn. “Our progress reflects the dedication of our merchants, property owners, volunteers, City leadership, and community partners. We are proud to be part of the Main Street America network and remain committed to preserving Fountain Inn’s small-town character while supporting smart, sustainable growth.”

Main Street Fountain Inn is a department of the City of Fountain Inn dedicated to the revitalization, preservation, and economic vitality of the City’s historic downtown. As a local Main Street America™ program, Main Street Fountain Inn uses community-driven, preservation-based economic development strategies to strengthen downtown’s unique small-town character and sense of place.

Aligned with the City of Fountain Inn’s vision for balanced growth and a connected community, Main Street Fountain Inn supports local businesses, enhances streetscapes and gathering spaces, and fosters strong public-private partnerships to ensure a vibrant downtown that serves residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

To learn more about Main Street Fountain Inn, visit www.mainstreetfountaininn.com.