The Mineola Main Street Program 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 Mineola Main Street as a 2026 Accredited 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. “Mineola Main Street 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.”
Mineola Main Street is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited 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.
Mineola is not alone in earning this distinction. Neighboring Winnsboro also received Main Street America Accreditation for 2026, making Wood County home to two nationally accredited Main Street communities. This is an achievement few counties in Texas or across the nation can claim and reflects a shared regional commitment to historic preservation, downtown revitalization and economic development.
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 45-year proven track record of generating transformative economic returns, fostering welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting positive impact.
Mineola Main Street’s performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization’s personnel and board of directors, and Texas Main Street (part of the Texas Historic Commission), 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 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, 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.
Since 2018, Mineola has reported over $30 million in private, public-private joint partnerships, public rehabilitation, new construction and real estate reinvestments in the city’s Main Street District. The Mineola Main Street Program, managed by Doris Newman, is an umbrella over three volunteer boards, Main Street Board, Landmark Commission and the Museum Board with over 26,223 hours given by volunteers since 2018. Their work contributes to the preservation of Mineola’s historic places while assisting them in being sustainable through tourism, hospitality and marketing that results in economic development. Mineola Marketing and Tourism Director Jennifer Henson supports many of these boards’ activities.
The Mineola Main Street Board approved six façade improvement grants in 2025, thanks to fundraising by the board of volunteers. The board is comprised of Chairman Jerry Gaskill, Jr.; Vice Chairman Steve Brooke; Secretary Misty Hooks; Dayna Watkins; Kim Raymond; Kathy Moses; Xan Roberts and Pamela Hortman. Sponsorships, donations and partnerships enable the program to provide the façade grants, as well as pay for much of the town’s Christmas decorations. While Music in May is a project of Mineola Marketing and Tourism, Main Street volunteers also support the effort.
The Landmark Commission volunteers are Chairman Jim Phillips, Vice Chairman Joyce Williams, Secretary Martha Holmes, Sue Jones, Cheryl Wood, Steve Brooke, John Sheeran and Mary Hudson.
The Museum Board volunteers are Chairman Novada Bigham, Vice Chairman Ellen Brooke, Secretary Pat Quandahl, Christene Criswell, Audrey Turman, Elaine Tuck and Harriett Bradley as well as Museum Coordinator Sharon Chamblee.
The success of Main Street programs throughout Wood County is supported by dedicated volunteer leadership. The Winnsboro Main Street Board is comprised of Chair Deneice Scott, Secretary Jenniffer Hudson-Connors, Carla Bradshaw, Dawn Petty, Kristi Amason, Carol Sutherland and Manuel Pasillas. Andi Miller is expected to join the board pending City Council approval. Together with the volunteers serving Mineola Main Street, these leaders help strengthen historic downtown districts and promote economic vitality throughout the county.