Elizabeth City Downtown

Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that administers the Main Street Program, a downtown revitalization program. The Main Street Program was created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980. Over 15,000 communities across the country in over 40 states coordinate the Main Street Program in their efforts to improve the viability of their central business districts.

Elizabeth City is one of the 48 communities in North Carolina that is designated as a North Carolina Main Street City. The North Carolina Main Street Program is coordinated under the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Community Service. The local program is managed by a volunteer board of directors, volunteer committees and one full time paid staff person, who works closely with the City Manager to implement goals. Both the City of Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County benefit from a vitalized downtown business district. ECDI provides a return on investment to taxpayers through increased tax generation. Local Government receives increased tax revenue from improved property values due to property enhancements. There is also an increase in the sale of business licenses due to an increase in the number of businesses housed in downtown Elizabeth City. A healthy downtown helps reduce sprawl, which requires costly infrastructure for local governments to build. Thus ECDI plays an important role in lessening the burden of government.

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