What is the Main Street Program

Main Street

What is Main Street? Main Street is a city's Historic Downtown District. Elgin's Historic Downtown District includes 14 city blocks of commercial and industrial buildings. Most of these buildings are constructed of locally produced brick and were erected between 1872 and 1947. Since 1990, private property owners, business owners, and the public sector have invested approximately $12 million in the downtown area. The Elgin Main Street Program provides a variety of assistance to building owners.

These buildings are occupied by a variety of businesses from banks and insurance to retail and restaurants. The Strategic Plan for Main Street is available here. Check out the Downtown Shopping Guide for places you can visit and watch our Community Calendar for a variety of events promoted by the Main Street Program. 

Business Assistance

Learn more about available Business Assistance through the Economic Development Corporation. 
The Main Street program provides the following assistance programs:

• COVID19 Marketing Assistance grant application here. 
• Exterior Paint Assistance grant application here.
• Roll off Reimbursement for construction projects application here. 

Main Street Programs

For more information contact:  Kaley Frye, Main Street Manager 
kfrye@ci.elgin.tx.us

• How to Volunteer
• Downtown Elgin Public Art Plan - Design Committee Art in Elgin. 
• Promotion Tourism Committee is a joint committee between Main Street Program and Chamber of Commerce.  The committee plans many of the events listed at the link.     
• Business Retention & Recruitment includes volunteers, Economic Development Director, Main Street Manager, Chamber President who work together to provide business training classes, business promotions, and market analysis.
• Organization Downtown 78621

Adopt a Spot

The adopt-a-spot program is sponsored by the Main Street Board to beautify Main Street and Elgin. This program is designed to help you and your neighbors play an ongoing role in maintaining an area that needs a little extra attention. Find out how you can participate!

Texas Main Street City

Elgin became a Texas Main Street City in 1990, and since 1999, is a Nationally Accredited Main Street City through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Properties in the district may be eligible for State and Federal Tax Credits.

Recognition for Excellence

The efforts of Elgin Main Street have earned it recognition for excellence in the field of downtown revitalization. The recognition is based on strict criteria such as: broad based public support, historic preservation ethic, active board of directors, adequate funding, a paid professional manager and reporting of economic progress by providing statistical information. The program's performance was evaluated by Texas Main Street Center, which is the statewide coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Texas.

Kennedy Smith, director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center said, "The people of Elgin should be proud of their achievement in their program's development, and maintain their commitment to downtown revitalization."

Award Winning Main Street Program

Texas Downtown Association President's Awards
2018  -  City of Elgin Downtown Zoning Overlay- Best Economic Game Changer Program
2017  -  Elgin Economic Development Corporation - Best Downtown Partner
2014  -  The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods - Best Downtown Business under $50,000
2006  -  Downtown 78621 -   Best Marketing Program
2002  -  W.C. Estes - Downtowner of the Year 
2002  -  Union Depot - Best Restoration 
2002  -  Hogeye Festival - Best Promotional Event
2002  -  Telephone Jim's Catfish Parlor - Best Commercial Interior - Small City 

Program Success

The Main Street program has been successful in Texas due in part to a partnership between, Texas Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center. Elgin is one of several communities in Texas that have met the criteria. Says Smith, "These elite programs represent some of the finest community initiatives and some of the most successful revitalization efforts that exist in this country."

Main Street Board

The Main Street Board promotes downtown revitalization through the Main Street Four Point Approach and hosts the Hogeye Festival as well as various events and activities throughout the Historic Downtown District. Classes and seminars are also provided to business owners to help them with things like marketing, website design and more. Board Members are appointed by City Council and serve two year terms.