Revitalizing Thomasville—One Project at a Time
Thomasville is a North Carolina Main Street community, designated by the N.C. Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Downtown Thomasville is charged with administering the program at the local level and building public-private partnerships to spur economic development that achieves measurable results such as investment, business growth, and job creation.
OUR MISSION
To establish an atmosphere of cooperation between downtown merchants, property owners, city officials, and area residents; thereby, creating an environment suitable for economic and revitalization of the Thomasville Downtown area.
OUR HISTORY
In 1991, a group of passionate citizens came together with a shared vision: to rejuvenate downtown Thomasville. Although their initial efforts to partner with building owners to improve properties did not gain traction, they remained undeterred. With no formal structure, this group embarked on its first major project—removing overhead electrical cables that cluttered the streets and installing 86 ornamental street lamps. This $131,000 initiative was fully funded through private donations, marking a significant first step toward transforming downtown.
Thomasville Farmers Market
By 1996, PACE (People Achieving Community Enhancement) formalized its efforts by applying for nonprofit status and hiring an executive director, funded by local foundations for a three-year term. During this time, PACE brought in the Urban Design Assistance Team (UDAT), which collaborated with city officials and community stakeholders to develop a comprehensive analysis and vision for the future of downtown. UDAT’s report laid out actionable, innovative design solutions. When the funding for the executive director role ended, PACE continued its mission as a fully volunteer-driven organization.
PACE Courtyard
Using the UDAT report as a guide—but not a limitation—PACE has identified and pursued a range of impactful projects, some of which emerged from the creativity and initiative of individual members, such as the Farmers Market building.
Collaboration and Community Impact
Collaboration has always been a cornerstone of PACE’s success. From the outset, the City of Thomasville has been a supportive partner. At PACE’s very first meeting, the mayor and city manager were included, setting the tone for a long-standing, productive relationship. Over a decade, PACE acquired land, managed key projects like the Farmers Market, PACE Park Amphitheater, and streetscape improvements—all made possible by leveraging in-kind services from the city, including infrastructure support and permitting.
Once these projects were completed, PACE deeded the park to the city, which now manages it through the Parks and Recreation department. The program director of Parks and Recreation also serves on PACE’s board, ensuring ongoing collaboration.
Painted Piano Project
The strong partnership between PACE, the City, and other stakeholders has been widely recognized. A contractor for the Farmers Market building noted it was one of the smoothest projects he had ever worked on, thanks to the cooperative spirit between PACE and the city.
Our Partners and Supporters
In addition to working closely with the City of Thomasville, PACE collaborates with various local organizations, including the City Beautification Committee, Thomasville Tourism, and the Thomasville Historic Preservation Committee. PACE provided funding to support the Historic Preservation Committee’s efforts to establish a historic district in downtown, further cementing its role in preserving the city’s heritage.
What began as in-kind support from the city has evolved into formal financial backing. The City of Thomasville now allocates $30,000 annually to PACE—$25,000 for general operations and $5,000 for the façade grant program—allowing PACE to continue making a positive impact on the community.
North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center
The NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program. Main Street America™ is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As one of the first Main Street America™ Coordinating Programs designated in 1980, NC Main Street inspires placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies. The NC Main Street staff is charged by the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate downtown economic development using the Main Street America Four-Point Approach. The Main Street Approach™ focuses on economic development strategies to transform downtown. These strategies articulate a focused path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown economy. Designated NC Main Street community's work is organized around the Four-Point Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
Learn more about the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center.
The National Main Street Program | Main Street America™
Main Street America™ has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts since 1980. Today it is a network of neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, that share both commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Main Street America™ is a movement. It is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the programs that make up the Main Street America network help to breathe new life into the places people call home.