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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We 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.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

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.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

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!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We 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.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

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.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

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!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities

Turning Vacancies into Places to Call Home

See how a group of citizens in Goldsboro, North Carolina, devised a plan to reduce residential vacancies in three downtown neighborhoods.

  • Real Estate and Property Development
January 15, 2011
A graphic that looks like old cross-stitch art and reads "turning vacancies into places to call home"
Article

A New Take on Pop-Ups

To reduce storefront vacancies, the Main Street program in Cambridge, Maryland, created the Holiday Pop-Up Project, which gave two entrepreneurs the chance to test out their retail concepts rent-free for two months.

  • Real Estate and Property Development
  • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
January 1, 2011
A retail shop with a rack of clothing and shelves of mugs and other items
Article

Working with Local Governments

Building a true partnership with local government is the key to winning its financial support for Main Street revitalization.

  • Policy and Advocacy
November 15, 2010
Local leaders meet in the White House to celebrate the DOT thriving communities program
Article

Haunted Happenings

In this article, Kathy La Plante shows you how to tap into your town’s heritage by capitalizing on local assets, spooky or spectacular, to create events that will attract residents and visitors alike. Published in Main Street Now Journal.

  • Marketing, Communications, and Events
September 21, 2010
People attending a Halloween screening of an outdoor movie

Conway, SC

Article

Beyond Farmers’ Markets

Local food system trends and a case study of Detroit’s historic Eastern Market and its efforts to change the city’s food system as well as revitalize adjacent neighborhoods.

  • Community Preservation
  • Equitable and Inclusive Community Development
May 15, 2010
Shelves of cold produce in a small grocery store
Article

From Nightmare to Fairy Tale

Learn how the rehabilitation of a 100+ year old house in Jacksonville, Illinois, became the catalyst for the positive transformation of an entire district.

  • Community Preservation
May 15, 2010
Interior and exterior shots of a historic victorian building
Article

Community-Owned Businesses

Innovative entrepreneurs and alternative business models can open up businesses that fill a void in the community. Published in Main Street Now Journal.

  • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
March 15, 2010
Two women reviewing inventory in a small business
Article

Green Streets in Iowa

Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.

  • The Main Street Approach
  • Community Preservation
March 15, 2010
An illustration of a downtown parks project
Article

New Media, New Advocacy

When state funding for the Washington State Main Street Program was cut in December of 2009, local programs across the state took on the job of getting the funds restored. Find out how social media helped ramp up the local programs’ advocacy efforts and contributed to a winning strategy.

  • Marketing, Communications, and Events
  • Policy and Advocacy
March 1, 2010
People listen to live music at an outdoor concert

Bainbridge, WA

Article

Youth on Main Street

Learn how youth groups give young people a chance to share what they want for downtown.

  • People Management and Work Planning
  • Fundraising and Finance
January 15, 2010
Young people filming a promotional video downtown

Clinton, TN

Article