PRESS RELEASE: Secretary Byrd Designates Palmetto Downtown Main Street as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Palmetto Downtown Main Street, located in Manatee County, has been designated the January 2025 Florida Main Street Program of the Month.

“Palmetto Downtown Main Street truly embodies community engagement and collaboration," said Secretary Byrd. “Their commitment to revitalizing downtown and promoting events is inspiring. We deeply appreciate their transformative efforts in making the community vibrant and welcoming for all.”

American settlement in Palmetto, Florida, dates to 1868 with the arrival of Samuel Sparks Lamb. Recognizing the area’s potential near the Manatee River, he surveyed and plotted the town, naming it after the many palmetto trees nearby. He also contributed significantly to the town’s early development by establishing a general merchandise store and donating land for key community landmarks, including churches, a cemetery, a public library, and a park. In recognition of his role in founding and developing the community, Lamb is known as the “Father of Palmetto.” With the establishment of a post office in 1879, the town began to grow and gained a reputation for its fruit and vegetable production, which attracted new settlers.

Photographs provided by Kran Kram Photo.

Palmetto incorporated as a city in 1897. By the 1920s, two railroads served the community, reorienting its growth inland away from the waterfront and connecting Palmetto with its neighbors. In 1930, the Palmetto Woman’s Club was founded. The club building functioned as an important community gathering space, hosting the first theater in Manatee County. This building’s historical significance led to its listing in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Today, with a network of modern federal and state highways, railroads, international airports, and seaports, the City of Palmetto is well positioned near one of Florida’s economic and cultural hubs.

Established in 2021, Palmetto Downtown Main Street (PDMS) is dedicated to revitalizing and promoting the historic downtown area through community events, local business support, and cultural initiatives, all aimed at creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. Since its inception, PDMS has generated over $10 million in public and private investment dollars, and 18 new businesses have been added to the district, providing 65 new jobs.

PDMS recently hosted the inaugural Holiday Fun Land in Sutton Park, a new event that brought holiday cheer and community spirit downtown. Upcoming events include the Summer Concert Series in the Park, which will bring live music and entertainment throughout the season, and the Multi-Cultural Festival, a celebration of the many people who make the community unique. Additionally, the restored historic Women’s Club is scheduled to reopen in 2025. “Being named program of the month is a true honor,” says Karon Dixon, Executive Director for Palmetto Downtown Main Street. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to grow with our community, bringing projects and events that celebrate our downtown’s heritage and future.”

For more information on Palmetto Downtown Main Street, visit PalmettoDowntownMainStreet.com or follow on Facebook. 

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 52 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.