Main Street Delaware was nationally accredited for the 10th consecutive year.

The accreditation comes despite leadership changes for the organization known for putting on First Fridays and farmers markets during the summer. Susie Bibler was hired by Main Street in mid-October to replace Frances Jo Hamilton, who served as executive director for nearly a decade.

Hamilton left the position in August to become the Director of Revitalization for Heritage Ohio, the nonprofit that manages Main Street programs across the state.

“It’s pretty rare that a Main Street program maintains their accreditation when they lose an executive director,” Bibler said.

Main Street and Heritage Ohio officials met Wednesday morning for the accreditation process. Hamilton did not handle the process as normal in order to avoid a conflict of interest.

Bibler said the Delaware nonprofit was able to score high on 10 standards developed by the National Trust Main Street Center including having a broad-based community support, relevant mission and vision statements, work plan, adequate operating budget and a current member of the Main Street America network.

The accreditation is designed to promote national performance standards for Main Street programs across the country.

Bibler said the accreditation is a testament to the volunteers, the board and the community.

“This is a group effort,” she said. “… Everybody should be proud of this accomplishment.”

Main Street Delaware Executive Director Susie Bibler with Heritage Ohio’s Pearl-Jean Mabe, left, Frank Quinn and Frances Jo Hamilton, right, at the Main Street Delaware office, 20 E. Winter St., on March 1. The nonprofit known for putting on First Fridays became nationally accredited for 10th consecutive year. Bibler said it’s rare for Main Street programs to become accredited after losing an executive director. The Delaware program former director was Hamilton who joined Heritage as director of revitalization in August.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/03/web1_17016007_10154100892496566_6007075834034643816_o.jpgMain Street Delaware Executive Director Susie Bibler with Heritage Ohio’s Pearl-Jean Mabe, left, Frank Quinn and Frances Jo Hamilton, right, at the Main Street Delaware office, 20 E. Winter St., on March 1. The nonprofit known for putting on First Fridays became nationally accredited for 10th consecutive year. Bibler said it’s rare for Main Street programs to become accredited after losing an executive director. The Delaware program former director was Hamilton who joined Heritage as director of revitalization in August. Courtesy photo