Why Main Street Matters: Celebrating Our Accreditation

Tasha Weaver | Categories Featured | News | October 1, 2025

When you walk through historic downtown Tipp City, you’re not just strolling past storefronts. You’re experiencing the heart of a nationally recognized Main Street community. That’s right: our Downtown Tipp City Partnership is a fully accredited Main Street America program, and that’s something worth celebrating.

In October, DTCP will undergo our 2025 accreditation visit, where we will once again demonstrate that we meet the highest standards of the Main Street program. As part of our recent strategic planning session, we committed to doing a better job of educating the public on what we do. Accreditation is more than just a title. It shows the community how our work impacts Tipp City every single day.

What Accreditation Means

Accreditation isn’t just a title. It is recognition that our community meets the highest standards for preservation-based economic development. In 2024, 821 programs nationwide earned Accredited status, Main Street America’s top tier of recognition. Tipp City is proud to be among them. Here in Ohio, there are only 17 communities!

To earn this, we have to demonstrate strength across six standards:

Engaged Community – Local people, businesses, and organizations shaping our downtown together.
Strong Leadership – A board, committees, and volunteers working side by side with staff to guide the future.
Sustainable Operations – Financial stewardship and diverse funding that ensures long-term stability.
Strategy–Driven Programming – A clear vision with work plans that align with our community’s goals.
Preservation-Based Economic Development – Honoring our history while helping businesses and buildings thrive.
Proven Impact – Tracking and showing measurable results that make Tipp City stronger each year.

Why It Matters for Tipp City

Being accredited means more than just having a badge of honor—it opens doors. It connects Tipp City to national resources, training, and funding opportunities. It also validates what so many of us already know: our downtown is exceptional because of the partnerships, creativity, and care that go into it every day.

Accreditation says to visitors, investors, and residents alike: This is a community worth supporting. It tells the world that we are committed to preserving our storybook charm, while also planning boldly for the future.

The Impact You Can See

Every planter overflowing with flowers, every restored storefront, every festival that fills our streets with laughter—these are the visible results of Main Street in action. Behind the scenes, accreditation ensures that these aren’t just one-off efforts, but part of a bigger, sustainable vision to keep Tipp City thriving for generations.

The Role of Heritage Ohio

Our accreditation wouldn’t be possible without the support and leadership of Heritage Ohio, the statewide partner for the Main Street program in Ohio. Heritage Ohio provides training, guidance, and advocacy that keep communities like Tipp City strong. They connect us to best practices, help us prepare for the future, and make sure we have the tools to succeed long term.

By working hand-in-hand with Heritage Ohio, Tipp City is able to stand alongside other accredited communities across the state, sharing ideas and growing together. Their partnership ensures that the Downtown Tipp City Partnership has the resources to continue preserving our history while building a thriving future.

Heading to the State Conference

This month, members of the DTCP Board and staff will be heading to Canton, Ohio, for the annual Heritage Ohio Statewide Conference. This gathering brings together Main Street programs, preservation-based organizations, and businesses from across the state to learn, collaborate, and share ideas.

We are especially proud to share that our own Executive Director, Tasha Weaver, will be teaching a class during the conference. Other presenters include leaders from the National Main Street Center and other programs across the country who are setting the standard for preservation and revitalization. It’s an honor for Tipp City to have a seat at that table and a voice in shaping the future of Main Street.

Cheering on Tipp City’s Statewide Finalists

One of the highlights of the conference is the Heritage Ohio Annual Awards Ceremony, where the top people, places, and projects in Ohio are honored. These awards are highly competitive, drawing nominations from communities all across the state.

This year, Tipp City is shining bright with not just one but three statewide finalists:

Mark Davison, Vice President of the DTCP Board – nominated for Volunteer of the Year for his dedication, leadership, and countless hours helping preserve and promote downtown Tipp City.

Mauk Cabinets by Design – nominated for Business of the Year for their continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and supporting the community.

The Tippecanoe Gazette / Greg Enslen / Clocktower Media – also nominated for Business of the Year, recognizing their vital role in telling Tipp City’s story, promoting local businesses, and capturing the spirit of our community.

Having multiple statewide finalists in a single year is a remarkable achievement—and it speaks volumes about the strength, talent, and creativity that make Tipp City stand out. To be considered alongside some of the very best across Ohio is an honor in itself, and we are so proud to celebrate these nominees on the state stage.

And it all circles back to accreditation: being an accredited Main Street program not only validates our work—it also helps shine a spotlight on the incredible people, places, and businesses that make Tipp City thrive.

A Shared Achievement

Accreditation belongs to all of us—merchants, volunteers, city partners, sponsors, residents, and friends. Your support makes it possible for us to not only preserve downtown but also to enhance it, promote it, and connect people through it.

We’re proud to carry the Main Street America accreditation and even prouder to carry forward the mission: to preserve, promote, and enhance Tipp City’s historic downtown.

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