SUNBURY’S REVITALIZATION INC. RECEIVES DESIGNATION AS A 2026 MAIN STREET AMERICA AFFILIATE PROGRAM
This national designation recognizes Sunbury’s strong commitment to community-based revitalization and positive local impact
Sunbury, PA (July 6, 2026) – Sunbury’s Revitalization Inc. (SRI) has been designated as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for meeting high 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 Sunbury’s Revitalization Inc. as a 2026 Affiliate Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “SRI demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
SRI is one of 453 nationally recognized Affiliate Main Street America organizations and is a 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 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 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.
SRI’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet rigorous national community evaluation standards.
These standards provide the Main Street America network with a strong framework for reviewing progress, recognizing strengths, understanding trends, and identifying strategies to move Main Street programs forward.
To qualify for Affiliate status—Main Street America’s second designation tier—communities must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Main Street model and dedication to achieving outcomes 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, Main Street America programs generated $9.4 billion in local reinvestment, welcomed 6,936 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 36,549 net new jobs, rehabilitated 10,623 historic buildings, and leveraged 1.8 million volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar a Main Street program spent on operations, $23.13 was reinvested in its downtown district.
After graduating from the 18-month Blueprint Communities Program, Sunbury’s downtown revitalization efforts continued to grow with the startup of a downtown management program and hire of a full-time downtown manager funded in part by a Blueprint Communities grant, a 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation grant, and a contribution from the City of Sunbury’s economic development budget. The next step is to achieve Main Street Designation through PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s Main Street Matters Program. Downtown Manager, Sarah Bower, prepared the extensive application package which is ready to submit this month. The designation will give SRI priority for additional resources to implement Main Street downtown revitalization programs and projects over the coming years.
Over the past year, SRI has expanded programming and community engagement efforts through the Albright Center for the Arts, including concerts, swing dance lessons, student performances, and the launch of the Tuesday Night Music Club. These events, along with other downtown programming and partnerships, have helped increase activity in Sunbury, bring new visitors into local businesses, and strengthen connections between community organizations. SRI has also worked to further unify and promote downtown through the launch of their ThinkSunbury campaign, beautification and placemaking projects, and community feedback initiatives such as public surveys and engagement efforts that help guide future revitalization priorities.
“It’s exciting to receive recognition and see the progress happening so quickly. SRI brought together the Downtown Sunbury Team and entered the Blueprint Communities Program just two years ago. We created a strategic plan for downtown revitalization and we are moving forward!” says Jody Ocker, SRI Executive Director.
