(Opelousas, LA) – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street have announced that Opelousas Main Street is one of 19 Louisiana Main Street communities designated an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026.
This designation means that Main Street organizations met performance standards established by the National Main Street Center and are being recognized for their commitment to strengthening local economies, preserving historic character, and revitalizing downtown districts through the Main Street Approach™.
The 19 Louisiana communities, which are also among 838 programs nationwide to receive Accredited Main Street America status, include:
- Abbeville Main Street; Vermillion Parish
- Columbia Main Street; Caldwell Parish
- Crowley Main Street; Acadia Parish
- Denham Springs Main Street; Livingston Parish
- Hammond Downtown Development District; Tangipahoa Parish
- Main Street Homer; Claiborne Parish
- Leesville Main Street; Vernon Parish
- Lower Ninth Ward Main Street, New Orleans; Orleans Parish
- Monroe Main Street; Ouachita Parish
- Morgan City Main Street; St. Mary Parish
- Natchitoches Main Street; Natchitoches Parish
- New Iberia Main Street; Iberia Parish
- New Roads Main Street; Pointe Coupee Parish
- Opelousas Main Street; St. Landry Parish
- Ruston Main Street; Lincoln Parish
- Olde Towne Slidell Main Street; St. Tammany Parish
- St. Francisville Main Street; West Feliciana Parish
- West Monroe Main Street; Ouachita Parish
- Winnsboro Main Street; Franklin Parish
“Our historic downtowns are more than gathering places, they are engines of economic development and community pride,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When Louisiana Main Street districts succeed, entire communities benefit. These programs help attract investment, support local businesses, create jobs, and preserve the historic charm that makes Louisiana unlike anywhere else in the world. I commend these communities for their dedication to building stronger local economies while protecting the stories and traditions that define them.”
“This accreditation reflects the hard work of our board volunteers, city partners, and community stakeholders who continue to invest their time, talent, and passion into strengthening the heart of Opelousas,” said Melanie Lee, Opelousas Main Street Director.
The Louisiana Main Street program continues to have a significant impact on communities across the state, surpassing the historic milestone of $1 billion in public and private investment. Additional statewide achievements include:
- Creation of 17,587 net new jobs
- 4,108 net new businesses
- More than $613 million invested in new construction and building rehabilitation
- More than 1.3 million volunteer hours contributed
“We are proud to recognize these 2026 Accredited Main Street America programs for their unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of their staffs, boards of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America.
In 2025, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings, and leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spent on operations, $23.13 was reinvested into its downtown district.
Louisiana Main Street annually evaluates each local organization’s performance in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify communities that meet rigorous national standards for community revitalization and economic development.
To qualify for Accredited status, Main Street America’s highest designation tier, communities must demonstrate exceptional performance in six areas: community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and measurable impact and results.
For more than 40 years, Main Street America has helped revitalize older and historic commercial districts across the country. Today, the network includes more than 1,600 communities working to build stronger places through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has generated $124.67 billion in local reinvestment, supported 188,583 net new businesses, created 852,443 net new jobs, rehabilitated 356,424 historic buildings, and inspired more than 41 million volunteer hours nationwide.
Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit Main Street America.
For more information about Louisiana Main Street, visit the Louisiana Main Street webpage.
Last modified: June 1, 2026
