Downtown Franklin Association

DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION MAIN STREET PROGRAM

Since its founding in 1984, the Downtown Franklin Association (DFA) has spearheaded the revitalization of Franklin’s historic downtown core. Working in partnership with property owners, preservationists, city and county government, local businesses and merchants in our historic retail district, the Foundation and the DFA have helped create one of the nation’s Main Street success stories. We’ve earned national recognition as an authentic, eclectic place that offers something for everyone in an atmosphere that reminds locals and visitors alike of a simpler time in our history – a place where community matters.

In 1995, the National Main Street Center awarded the Downtown Franklin Association with the Great American Main Street Award. Since then, there have been just over 90 Main Street programs in America honored with this award due to their successes that serve as a model for comprehensive, preservation-based commercial district revitalization. In 2020, we were awarded the Great American Main Street Award for the 36th consecutive year.