Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street have announced that Leesville Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026.

The recognition is awarded to communities that meet national performance standards established by the National Main Street Center for economic development, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization efforts through the Main Street Approach.

Leesville Main Street was one of 19 Louisiana communities and among 838 programs nationwide to receive Accredited Main Street America status, the organization’s highest designation tier.

“Our historic downtowns are more than gathering places, they are engines of economic development and community pride,” Nungesser said in the announcement. “When Louisiana Main Street districts succeed, entire communities benefit.”

According to Louisiana Main Street, the statewide program has surpassed more than $1 billion in combined public and private investment. Additional statewide impacts include the creation of 17,587 net new jobs, 4,108 net new businesses, more than $613 million invested in construction and rehabilitation projects, and more than 1.3 million volunteer hours contributed.

Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes said the accredited communities demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in their downtown districts and preserving the unique character of their communities.

To qualify for Accredited status, communities must demonstrate success in areas including community revitalization, organizational leadership, sustainable funding, preservation-based economic development, and measurable results.

Main Street America, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has supported preservation-based revitalization efforts in historic commercial districts for more than 40 years.