Jeannette Initiative Receives Designation As A 2026 Main Street America Affiliate Program
This national designation recognizes Jeannette’s strong commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact
Jeannette, PA (August 14, 2026) –The Jeannette Initiative has been designated as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for meeting high performance standards.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the roster of designated programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach™.
“We are proud to recognize the Jeannette Initiative 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. “The Jeannette Initiative 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.”
The Jeannette Initiative is one of 453 nationally recognized Affiliate Main Street America organizations and is a part of a network of over 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
“We are honored to be recognized as a 2026 Main Street America Affiliate,” said Tim Legenzoff, Jeannette Initiative Board President. “This is a major milestone, and will continue to fan the flames of rebirth for our beloved community of Jeannette. These efforts are made possible by the unwavering passion and dedication of our city, partners and volunteer leaders, and we will carry this excitement and momentum forward in our revitalization projects.”
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Accredited and Affiliate. These designations are a powerful tool, signaling to community members, civic leaders, decision makers, funders and others that the Main Street program holds an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities and creating lasting impact.
In the past year, the Jeannette Initiative has worked steadily on its Main Street Matters designation application, has established a dedicated fundraising and development committee and has reinforced partnerships with the City of Jeannette, Jeannette Business Association and Jeannette Redevelopment Authority through the Jeannette Community Revitalization Partnership. Program Manager Kristie Linden has attended Community Revitalization Academy classes throughout the spring and graduated at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s annual state conference in Erie at the end of June — Making Waves on Main Street: Big Bold Ideas That Push the Boundaries. The Initiative’s facade program has worked with several business owners to renovate their storefronts, the Safe, Clean and Green program has held quarterly cleanups and donated planters for display along Clay Avenue in the heart of downtown Jeannette.
“We are so excited to see our program starting to really take off,” said Linden. “In less than a year, we went from establishing committees to actively working on several of the projects we’ve identified in our five-year plan to revitalize the city. The dedication of our board of directors, many of whom are city business owners and community leaders, and the passion of our volunteers is unmatched.”
The Jeannette Initiative’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong framework for reviewing progress, recognizing strengths, understanding trends, and identifying strategies to move Main Street programs forward.
To qualify for Affiliate status, communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and dedication to achieving outcomes in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization; inclusive leadership and organizational capacity; diversified funding and sustainable program operations; strategy-driven programming; preservation-based economic development; and demonstrated impact and results.
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 in its downtown district.
—————
ABOUT THE JEANNETTE INITIATIVE
The Jeannette Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the city of Jeannette, Pennsylvania. The Initiative seeks to help bring economic and community growth, supporting local businesses while creating a safe, affordable and vibrant environment for everyone. For more information, visit jeannetteinitiative.org
ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA
Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Today, the network includes more than 1,600 communities across the country working to build stronger places through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street movement has resulted in $124.67 billion reinvested locally, 188,583 net new businesses, 852,443 net gain in jobs, 356,424 buildings rehabbed and 41 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.
