Want to do something big? Start small.
A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
Join us May 6 – 8 in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference!
RegisterWe work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.
Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.
Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!
Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Patrice Frey is Senior Advisor to Main Street America, where she leads an initiative to accelerate investment in small-scale real estate development projects on Main Streets. Patrice previously served as President & CEO of Main Street America between 2013 and 2022, overseeing the creation of MSA as an independent subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Prior to her time at MSA, Patrice served as the Director of Sustainability at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she led the National Trust’s efforts to promote the reuse and greening of older and historic buildings. Before joining the National Trust, Patrice worked for several years in the field of community development and urban research. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s program in historic preservation, where she received a master’s degree in preservation planning and a certificate in real estate design and development through the Penn School of Design and Wharton Business School.
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A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
The National Main Street Center and the Brookings Institution have jointly authored a response to Mr. Hyman’s piece, The Reality of Main Street, that is featured on Brookings’ blog.
There is another way for smaller communities to compete in today’s economy and we believe a strong main street strategy is at the heart of it.
Letter from past MSA President, Patrice Frey
For a lucky few downtowns, greatness may happen effortlessly with a strong sense of place that seems to develop organically and simply sustain itself. For most places, success doesn’t happen by chance.