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
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!
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
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
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Metuchen, NJ
The Main Street Approach is a time-tested framework for transforming local economies, celebrating community character, and enhancing quality of life. The Main Street Approach offers community-based revitalization initiatives with a practical, adaptable roadmap for downtown transformation that is easily tailored to local conditions.
This toolkit is your one-stop shop for the basics you need to know to get started implementing the Main Street Approach, or to take your revitalization efforts to the next level. Explore below, and if you have suggestions for resources to add, let us know.
A detailed guide to comprehensive commercial district revitalization for downtowns and neighborhoods.
A guide examining how to create or enhance a sustainable commercial district revitalization effort using the Main Street Approach.
Vital updates to the The Main Street Approach to improve community revitalization and economic development in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
A handbook on how urban design principles can be used to improve economic development, placemaking, safety, and community.
John Mitterholzer, Deshea Agee, Michael Wagler, Chris Wilson, and Mary Helmer Worth share stories from their time at the local level and how those experiences shape their perspectives today.
It's never too early to start making plans to join your peers and place management experts from across the Main Street network for three days of insightful education sessions, network-building opportunities, and immersive mobile workshops at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference.
Learn how Hartsville combines town & gown, cultural district, and farmer's market transformation strategies to create a vibrant, diverse community in their downtown.
We've just debuted three new free courses in the Main Street America Academy—Foundations: The Main Street Approach, Introduction to Conflict Resolution, and Managing Professional Relationships. Take your leadership skills to the next level with these invaluable building blocks.
John Mitterholzer was selected as our incoming board chair, effective January 1, 2026. President and CEO Erin Barnes spoke with John about his Main Street journey, the importance of preserving places, and his work in climate justice.
Meet the 2026 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalists! This year’s semifinalists demonstrate exceptional achievements in reenergizing their downtowns through inclusive, collaborative organizing and innovative economic development, arts and culture, and historic preservation initiatives.
Honoring the legacy of one of the founders of the Main Street movement.
We chatted with the 2025 GAMSA winners to learn how they celebrated the accomplishment and their plans to leverage their success in the future.
Lisa shares reflections about eight Arkansas communities that recently received assessment visits
Deepen your knowledge, bring your vision to life, and expand your impact with our latest Main Street America Academy course. Whether you’re navigating your first grant or hosting a community event, the Local Main Street Leader Launching module is designed to support your growth without burning out.
Meet Maxine Clark—entrepreneur, philanthropist, and board member at Delmar Main Street in St. Louis, Missouri—and hear Erin's takeaways from their conversation about advocacy, resiliency, and leadership.
Whether you’ve mastered foundational Main Street Approach principles or developed an innovative initiative—we want to hear from you! Submit your proposal for an education session at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference. Proposals are due September 5, 2025.
Join host Matt Wagner as he welcomes David West, director of Premier Retail Marketing and based in Adelaide, South Australia.
In this episode, Matt reveals the data-driven trends that define the holiday shopping season — and shows you exactly how to leverage them for your small business.
Celebrate the broad diversity of champions that make up our powerful network and offers resources and solutions for leading revitalization efforts.
This workbook has everything you need to guide you from start to finish through the entire strategic planning process. Published by Georgia Main Street.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley, Steph’s Photography
Design is one of the Four Points of the Main Street Approach, the leading downtown and commercial district revitalization framework.
Economic vitality is one of the Four Points of the Main Street Approach, the leading downtown and commercial district revitalization framework.
Organization is one of the Four Points of the Main Street Approach, the leading downtown and commercial district revitalization framework.
Promotion is one of the Four Points of the Main Street Approach, the leading downtown and commercial district revitalization framework.
The Michigan Transformation Strategy Guidebook provides step-by-step instructions for selecting a transformation strategy, developing goals, and measures of success, and implementation.
Milan, Michigan © Main Street America
Watch this webinar to learn how historic downtowns and commercial districts are rebuilding after the COVID-19 pandemic.
State of Main provides a detailed look at all the accomplishments of the Main Street America Network and explores cutting edge ideas and trends in the commercial district revitalization field
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
Learn how placemaking principles can be utilized as an implementation strategy of local Main Street efforts to empower community members and create more action-oriented programs
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
Learn how Downtown Washington, Inc, one of Missouri's first Main Streets has used design to transform their downtown district to promote downtown retail and drive investment.
Learn how Natchitoches Main Street transformed this historic Louisiana town into a magnet for small businesses and investment.
Learn how Livermore Downtown, Inc, has transformed this northern California city in a regional destination for dining, shopping, and culture.
Learn how Laramie Main Street Alliance is transforming this Wyoming town and bringing new vibrancy to the downtown core.
Learn how H Street Main Street in D.C. is transforming the community by bringing in new businesses and investment.
A practical framework to collect, assess, and communicate impact data to deepen your impact and improve your ability to serve your community.
Learn the five of these key attributes of successful Main Street leaders with insights and examples from across the Main Street America network. Published in State of Main.
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.
A handbook on how urban design principles can be used to improve economic development, placemaking, safety, and community.
Learn how to use data and market analysis processes to understand your community and advance revitalization and economic development efforts.
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.
A short video explaining how the Main Street Approach can transform historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors.
Learn how the nationwide Main Street network harnesses the Main Street Approach to transform communities.
Learn how the Main Street Approach gives communities a competitive advantage, resulting in reinvestment, new businesses, new jobs, and building rehabilitations.
Learn how to launch or strengthen your community engagement efforts, including actionable tools to put to use in your own community.
A short video showing the impact that the Main Street Approach has had to transform historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors.
A guide examining how to create or enhance a sustainable commercial district revitalization effort using the Main Street Approach.
Vital updates to the The Main Street Approach to improve community revitalization and economic development in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
Ed McMahon explores the key characteristics of successful downtowns. Published in State of Main.
Boston, MA
Learn about the important role that Main Street America programs have to play in building inclusive communities.
Insights from across the network on how to lead your Main Street program. Published in State of Main.
Learn how Otsego, Michigan used community support and strategic visioning to launch their revitalization efforts. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
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.
Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
A detailed guide to comprehensive commercial district revitalization for downtowns and neighborhoods.
Downtown Florence, South Carolina © True Light Photography
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