Rock Springs Main Street/URA Receives Designation as a 2026 Main Street America Accredited Program
This highest national designation recognizes Downtown Rock Springs’
exceptional commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact
The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency (URA) has been designated as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous 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 Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for its unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of its staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of the community,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “The Rock Springs Main Street/URA demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make Downtown Rock Springs special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations and is part of a network of over 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Accredited and Affiliate. These designations are a badge of excellence and 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 proven track record of generating transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming communities, and creating lasting positive impact.
The Rock Springs Main Street/URA’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, along with the Wyoming Main Street Program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs meeting rigorous national evaluation standards.
To qualify for Accredited status—Main Street America’s top designation tier—communities must demonstrate a proven track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach™ and exceptional performance 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, the Rock Springs Main Street/URA continued to build momentum across Downtown Rock Springs through placemaking, economic development, arts programming, and community engagement. The organization helped facilitate more than $3.2 million in combined public and private investment in the Downtown district while supporting 13 new businesses and 27.5 full-time equivalent jobs. The Broadway Theater and Bunning Hall at the Freight Station together welcomed more than 22,000 attendees through nearly 220 events, performances, meetings, celebrations, and community gatherings throughout the year. Volunteers also contributed more than 3,200 hours of service toward Downtown initiatives, events, beautification efforts, and programming.
“Receiving national accreditation once again is a reflection of the incredible support we receive from our volunteers, businesses, property owners, partners, and the entire community,” said Chad Banks, manager of the Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency. “Downtown Rock Springs continues to evolve as a vibrant center for arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and community life. This recognition highlights the collaborative work happening every day to preserve our historic character while building momentum for the future.”
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 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 billions of dollars reinvested locally, hundreds of thousands of net new businesses and jobs, and millions of volunteer hours nationwide.
