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Main Street: Creating Livable, Lovable Communities

What makes a community livable? When critical needs are met, such as food security, availability of affordable housing, opportunities for education and healthcare, good jobs and economic growth in a community, and the infrastructure and connectivity to easily access services and resources? What makes a community lovable? When innovative and inclusive quality-of-life amenities are available, such as arts and cultural experiences, community engagement opportunities, and access to recreation to live a healthy lifestyle?

Main Street: Creating Livable, Lovable Communities, the theme of this year’s conference, explores the downtown elements that are essential in creating great towns and cities, and how North Carolina communities are implementing economic development strategies that are bringing these livable, lovable elements to fruition. Rehabilitated buildings and compatible new construction provide the built environment for quality retail businesses and services, dining and drinking establishments, government and professional offices, and unique residential and lodging options. Public and private gathering places that encourage downtown visitors to walk, bike, dine, play, celebrate, and visit with friends and family, are equally important in creating livable places that we love. Public art, downtown foliage, and colorful streetscape furnishings and banners add to a downtown district's vibrancy.

The 2025 conference celebrates 45 years of the Main Street program in North Carolina and the United States. Local Main Street programs and their public and private sector partners are creatively leveraging strategic economic development planning, tools, and resources, resulting in investment, business growth, and job creation.

The North Carolina Main Street Conference is the country’s largest statewide downtown revitalization conference. Attendees include downtown economic development professionals, elected officials and local government staff, rural leaders, volunteers, business and property owners, consultants, vendors, and sponsors interested in trends, initiatives, and success stories they can use to maximize downtown and community revitalization at home.

This premier event will be held in downtown Mooresville, North Carolina. Designated as a North Carolina Main Street community in 1988, the Town of Mooresville and its Main Street management partner, the Mooresville Downtown Commission, utilize the Main Street framework to create, and promote opportunities, advance a downtown strategic economic development plan, guide redevelopment, facilitate partnerships, and attract residents and visitors to the downtown core. Downtown Mooresville is the heart of a happening community with a mix of vibrant retailers, cool bars, delicious dining, coffee shops, stylish places to live, extraordinary events, public art, and heaps of Southern Charm. Since the program's inception, downtown Mooresville has leveraged more than $117 million in public and private investment, resulting in a net gain of 141 new businesses and nearly 600 new jobs.

Join us for inspiring keynote and plenary addresses, and innovative strategies presented in carefully curated breakout and toolkit sessions. Experience the Mooresville story through a collection of tours that highlight local assets. Bring a group of community leaders, Main Street board members, city and town staff, elected officials, and volunteers to get the most out of the conference experience. The North Carolina Main Street downtown revitalization conference is second to none in the Southeast and, perhaps, in the nation.

We can’t wait to see you in Downtown Mooresville!

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