• Accredited status was awarded to 11 Main Street Oakland (MSOC) communities, with 10 others earning affiliate status.
• The accredited designation is the highest level of recognition, awarded to programs that meet high standards, while the affiliate level honors communities that are making meaningful progress toward those standards.
• MSOC downtowns saw more than $114 million in new public and private investments, resulting in 163 net new businesses and 414 net new jobs in 2025.

Pontiac, Mich. – Twenty-one communities in Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) have earned national recognition from Main Street America for their ongoing work to strengthen and revitalize downtowns through preservation-based economic development and the Main Street program.

Eleven MSOC communities received accredited status: Berkley, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Highland, Holly, Ortonville, Oxford, Lake Orion, Rochester and Royal Oak.

Ten others earned affiliate status: Auburn Hills, Clarkston, Clawson, Hazel Park, Lathrup Village, Lyon Township, Oak Park, Southfield, South Lyon and Wixom. 

“Main Street Oakland County communities continue to demonstrate how strategic investment, historic preservation and local leadership can transform downtowns into thriving hubs of economic activity and community life,” said Dom Holmes, director of Oakland County Economic Development. “This national recognition reflects the commitment of our local partners, volunteers and business owners who are shaping vibrant, resilient downtowns across Oakland County.”

The accredited status is the top tier of recognition and is bestowed on organizations that have demonstrated planning, implementing and measuring results that align with the Main Street Approach. The affiliate status is given to programs that are committed to the Main Street model and are in process of making economic, social, physical and organizational improvements in their downtown or commercial districts.

In 2025 alone, MSOC downtowns saw more than $114 million in new public and private investments, resulting in 163 net new businesses and 414 net new jobs. Additionally, local volunteers contributed more than 24,000 hours of service to support revitalization efforts.

About Main Street Oakland County

Founded in 2000, Main Street Oakland County is the first and only county-wide Main Street coordinating program in the United States. MSOC supports historic preservation, economic development, and civic engagement in downtowns and commercial corridors. Since its inception, MSOC communities have attracted more than $1.2 billion in investments and 1,500 new businesses and created nearly 8,400 jobs.

For more information about Main Street Oakland County, visit MainStreetOaklandCounty.com. 

About Main Street America

Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a national network of more than 2,000 communities dedicated to strengthening downtowns through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, participating communities have generated more than $115 billion in investment, created over 815,000 jobs, and rehabilitated nearly 346,000 buildings.

To learn more about Main Street America, visit mainstreet.org.