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 2024 Annual Report 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 Academy Funding Opportunities Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Main Street Insurance 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 2024 Annual Report 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 Academy Funding Opportunities Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Main Street Insurance 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

Seeing Small

Learn why small-scale development projects and incremental improvements are the key to creating vibrant local economies and distinctive places that will thrive well into the future. Published in State of Main.

  • Real Estate and Property Development
April 15, 2018
Graphic featuring lots of overlapping small bubbles in a cloud. Text reads "seeing small, by Jim Heid and Samanthan Beckerman."
Article

The Future of Retail (State of Main)

There’s no doubt about it, the retail landscape is changing and getting more complex. Main Street has a unique competitive advantage and it’s up to local leaders and local business owners to understand how to tap into this opportunity.

  • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
April 15, 2018
Colorful storefronts on a downtown street

Metuchen, NJ © Isaac Kremer

Article

Advocacy in Motion

Director of Policy Outreach, Government Relations and Policy, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation explains how Main Street advocacy has made a difference and how to get involved.

  • The Main Street Approach
  • Policy and Advocacy
April 15, 2018
New Jersey coordinating staff meet with congressional staff on Hill Day
Article

The Main Street Approach Design Handbook

A handbook on how urban design principles can be used to improve economic development, placemaking, safety, and community.

  • The Main Street Approach
  • Community Preservation
April 10, 2018
Design Handbook cover
Publication

Market Analysis for Community Transformation

Learn how to use data and market analysis processes to understand your community and advance revitalization and economic development efforts.

  • The Main Street Approach
March 28, 2018
People walking along a tree-lined downtown street
Publication

Catalyst Strategies

A list of transformation strategies to guide your Main Street revitalization efforts.

  • People Management and Work Planning
November 10, 2017
People walking their bikes across a downtown plaza
Hand-Out

A Grassroots Network

The Main Street America Network is comprised of some of the most enthusiastic, passionate, committed people you'll ever find. Learn more about this nationwide movement of community changemakers.

  • The Main Street Approach
October 26, 2017
Video

The Approach

A short video explaining how the Main Street Approach can transform historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors.

  • The Main Street Approach
October 21, 2017
Graphic featuring the Main Street logo and the words "the Main Street Approach"
Video

Power of the Movement

Learn how the nationwide Main Street network harnesses the Main Street Approach to transform communities.

  • The Main Street Approach
October 18, 2017
A street sign reading "main street" on a lamp post with a flower box
Video

Economic Impact of Main Street

Learn how the Main Street Approach gives communities a competitive advantage, resulting in reinvestment, new businesses, new jobs, and building rehabilitations.

  • The Main Street Approach
October 15, 2017
Since 1980, Main Street America programs have generated over $70 billion in reinvestment, 132,092 net net businesses, 584,422 net new jobs, and 268,053 building rehabilitations.
Video