Bold, Ambitious, Actionable
Main Street America’s new Strategic Plan will guide our work for the next 5 – 10 years, building on our legacy and core purpose, while recognizing the rapidly changing environment shaping our work. We invite you to learn more about our updated vision, mission, values, and long-term objectives that will provide the roadmap for Main Street America going forward.
Overview
Main Street America embarked on a year-long process in July 2021 to develop a new strategic plan that will guide our next chapter. This was a highly collaborative and intensive process led by staff and guided by the board and key stakeholders. We rooted our strategy in three main elements — our Vision, Mission, and Values. These elements will drive our work forward over the next 5 – 10 years.
This process is not done — our most important work is ahead of us as we head into the implementation phase. This is a living, breathing plan that we will keep revisiting over the months and years ahead.
Our Vision
Everyone has access to an inclusive and resilient Main Street — a place that has a thriving local economy, is distinctive and rich in character, and features welcoming spaces and diverse businesses for residents and visitors alike.
Our Mission
Main Street America leads a collaborative movement with partners and grassroots leaders that advances shared prosperity, creates resilient economies, and improves quality of life through place-based economic development and community preservation in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the country.
Our Values
Community-driven — Our model is based on grassroots community leadership and buy-in. We are committed to centering on the people who power local economies and lifting up the voices of residents and stakeholders.
Collaboration & Partnership — We believe effective and lasting change happens through meaningful partnerships and intentional collaboration with an engaged network of stakeholders.
Equitable & Inclusive — At the core of our approach to revitalization is a commitment to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement. We are dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of and action around anti-racism as an organization and a network.
Resilient & Future-focused — Central to our mission is helping communities take advantage of resources and opportunities that will help them better withstand crises and shocks that lay ahead (e.g. climate change, economic shifts, and social challenges.)
Community Preservation-based — We are committed to building on the past of our built environment and cultural legacy. We do this by promoting adaptive reuse, celebrating community character, and honoring the cultural diversity of communities.
Support Small for Greater Impact — We believe that supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and small-scale development builds community wealth and creates meaningful investment in communities.
What’s Next?
Work is already underway to fully realize the scope of our new strategic plan. This is a living, breathing roadmap that we will keep revisiting over the months and years ahead. We look forward to involving the network in this process and working to accomplish our vision, mission, and long-term objectives together.
As always, we love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to us at info@mainstreet.org with any questions or feedback as we embark on this next phase of our future together.