• Twelve MSOC communities received accredited status and ten earned 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 $90 million in new public and private investments, resulting in 100 net new businesses and 560 net new jobs in 2024.

Pontiac, Mich. – Twenty-two 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.

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

Ten others earned affiliate status: Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Clarkston, Hazel Park, Lyon Township/New Hudson, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pontiac, South Lyon and Wixom. 

“Our Main Street communities are not only preserving their unique historic character, but also creating vibrant destinations for residents and visitors,” said Dom Holmes, director of Oakland County Economic Development. “Their success is the direct result of strategic partnerships and grassroots leadership fused with the power of developing a sense of place in our downtowns.”

The accredited designation is the highest level of recognition, awarded to programs that meet high standards in areas such as strategic planning, public-private partnerships and organizational sustainability. The affiliate level honors communities that are making meaningful progress toward those standards.

In 2024 alone, MSOC downtowns saw more than $90 million in new public and private investments, resulting in 100 net new businesses and 560 net new jobs. Additionally, local volunteers contributed more than 23,000 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 investment and 1,500 new businesses and created nearly 8,400 jobs.

About Main Street America

Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a national network of more than 1,800 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.

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

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