The Main Street program was initiated in Beaufort in 1985 and was created as a non-profit partner with the City of Beaufort. The program has contracted with the City of Beaufort for almost 20 years to perform services directly related to downtown redevelopment, such as promotion and advertising, business retention and recruitment, and design assistance, to name a few.

In 1989, Main Street Beaufort, USA absorbed the Merchant Committee, which had existed since the 1970¹s. The merger created a unified voice for small business owners in the downtown district while in turn strengthening Main Street¹s membership base. The former Downtown Association Board became Main Street¹s Promotion Committee, a group which continues to direct and coordinate special events, promotions, advertising and cooperative programs for merchants.