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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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.
Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
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.
Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America
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Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.
Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Promoting your Main Street is one of the key roles of a Main Street program. This includes highlighting small businesses, showing off cool amenities, and emphasizing your unique assets. This example from Indiana Main Street shows how Main Streets from across the state promoted their small businesses for Small Business Saturday. You can use their examples to help you brainstorm ideas to promote your downtown both on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.
Published by Indiana Main Street.
These sample Communication Standard Operating Procedures from Heart of Biddeford provide an example of the communication policies that Main Streets should consider formalizing, including brand guidelines, DEI best practices, website, email marketing, social media, and more.
Biddeford, ME © McKenney Photography
This guide from Virginia Main Street explores the importance of wayfinding, the components of a custom wayfinding plan, design considerations, and implementation.
Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
Simple advice for outreach and communications with elected officials and government representatives.
Watch this webinar to learn how social influencers can drive engagement and build excitement for your downtown promotions and programs.
Use this guide from Colorado Main Street to help you develop social media strategies, photo contests, and walking tours that will boost engagement and bring people downtown.
Lansing, MI
Everything you need to prepare your community organization to handle both internal and external crises. Published by Indiana Main Street.
Momence, IL
Construction can be very disruptive for downtown businesses. Use this sample mitigation plan to help you develop your own strategy to assist your downtown businesses during a construction project. Published by Cumberland Main Street.
Your organization's branding can represent the unique features of your downtown, remind people of the purpose of your organization, and help people stay engaged with your work. A comprehensive brand guide helps your staff and partners be consistent in how they represent your organization and your work. Published by Downtown Maryville Alliance.
Maryville, TN © Downtown Maryville Alliance
How non-profits can use media, public relations, and communications outreach to achieve policy goals.
Watch this webinar to learn the power of digital marketing and online promotions to drive excitement and engagement on social media.
An example of the policies that communities can use to guide their downtown carnivals, block parties, festivals, and other special events. Published by the city of Batavia, Illinois.
Marketing your downtown with targeted, year-round engagement and outreach efforts. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Wayland, MI
Learn how Bridgeton, N.J., has drawn on its long history as a food hub to create a culinary district and attract food tourism. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Two Mississippi Main Street communities explain how they collected data on the small business impact of downtown events.
Learn how a regional branding initiative, Arkansas DeltaMade, uncovered hidden entrepreneurial assets and fostered the creation of new businesses built around the distinctive character of the Arkansas Delta.
Siloam Springs, AR © Brandonrush
First there were “flash mobs.” Now there are cash mobs, the shop-local equivalent. At these events, 'mobs' of people visit a small business with the commitment to spend at least $20 each. Published in Main Street Now magazine. Written by Andrea L. Dono.
Explore benefits of and strategies for creating a vibrant arts and entertainment district in your downtown or neighborhood. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Learn how focusing on the unique features of your community can make a Main Street district memorable to shoppers and visitors. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
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.
Conway, SC
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.
Bainbridge, WA
Downtown Florence, South Carolina © True Light Photography
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