Southfield Downtown Development Authority has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America program for meeting significant performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited. These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.

“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 351 Affiliate Main Street America programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation.”

Southfield Downtown Development Authority’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Main Street Oakland County, 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 foundational framework to review progress, recognize strengths, understand trends, and identify strategies that move Main Street programs forward. To quality for Affiliate status—Main Street America’s second designation tier—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 2024, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, $21.73 was reinvested into their downtown and commercial corridor communities.  

In 2024, the Southfield Downtown Development Authority (DDA) proudly launched new branding for both the DDA and the historic Cornerstone District while being accepted into the Main Street America Affiliate program. We hosted our first annual Small Business Friends Tour and five Greet & Eat food truck events to connect with local residents and entrepreneurs. In partnership with the cities of Southfield, Oak Park, and Lathrup Village, we held five business support events and celebrated infrastructure improvements, including road upgrades and new banners along Greenfield Road. We welcomed a new executive director, four new board members, and introduced a branded communication strategy through social media and e-newsletters. For every public dollar invested in 2024, more than $9 in private investment followed, reflecting strong momentum and confidence in the district’s future.

“The Southfield community continues to impress me with its character and drive for creative solutions and progress.  It is a perfect fit for the Main Street America program.  I look forward to immersing our program even more into the Main Street multi-focus philosophy.” Says Executive Director, Molly LaLone.

ABOUT Southfield Downtown Development Authority

Since 1988 we have fueled the economic development engine for the southeast corner of the city. It is our job to promote growth and keep Southfield a great place to live, work, shop, and conduct business. The Southfield DDA has attracted many companies and organizations to the district, including innovative healthcare facilities, top-ranked educational institutions, and historic retail development projects. Our mission is ensure a safe and prosperous environment that advances technology, healthcare, retail, and higher education while supporting stakeholder values that care, share, and grow the community. We want residents, businesses and service organizations to know they have invested in a vibrant city that will continue to grow well into the future. For more information, visit www.SouthfieldDDA.com.

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™. Our network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $115.42 billion reinvested locally, 181,647 net new businesses, 815,895 net new jobs, 345,801 buildings rehabilitated, and 37.3 million volunteer hours. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.