Here to Help
We work with communities of all sizes and backgrounds. Whether your city has a single stoplight, is a bustling neighborhood commercial corridor in a large city, or an area with no investment history, we are here to help. Once you engage with us, we listen. Where are you in your journey? What types of challenges do you face? Where have you seen success? Then we get to work.
Baldwin City, Kansas © Main Street America
Our Areas of Expertise
Service Offerings
Getting Started
No two communities are alike — whether you just formed your first Board or have been a Main Street for years — we help you assess the place to start. Our Foundations courses serve both an introduction as well as helpful touchpoints throughout your journey.
Introduction to Main Street
Communities new to the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization will benefit from an overall introduction to Main Street and how the methodology has been successfully used in thousands of communities. Gather the community for a Town Hall meeting to learn about the program and begin the community discussion on the importance of downtown to overall economic growth for your town, city, or neighborhood district.
Why Our Main Streets Are Important
This session answers the question, “Why should communities care about a healthy downtown?” It explains the national Main Street program, its Main Street Approach™, and highlights some of the most successful downtown revitalization programs in the country. Depending on time allocated, this session can also present information from the annual Main Street Trends survey, conducted by Main Street America, which shows how downtowns are faring.
Main Street 101
This workshop (or webinar series) explores each of the Main Street Approach’s Four Points, committee or task force roles and responsibilities, and typical activities within the framework of the refreshed Main Street Approach involving Transformation Strategies.
Defining Your Transformation Strategies
This two-part service helps commercial districts translate market data and community visioning into transformative, measurable change. Deliverables include a set of district-specific strategies, a targeted work plan, community survey, and an outcome measurement framework that builds on a comprehensive community vision.
New Executive Director Orientation
Gain an understanding of the Main Street program and The Approach, making the most of your Main Street America membership, staff responsibilities, leadership development, and tips for new staff.
Deeper Dives
We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create an economically vibrant Main Street district, enhance your community’s physical and visual assets, position Main Street as the heart of your community, and create a strong foundation for your program. These service offerings can be tailored to wherever you are in your revitalization journey.
Economic Vitality
We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create an economically vibrant Main Street district. When we talk about Economic Vitality, we’re talking about:
- Building a diverse economic base
- Catalyzing smart new investments
- Cultivating a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem
Our team is ready to help with a range of Economic Vitality services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from how to work with developers and strategies for attracting investment to how to position your program as the “go-to”
resource for local businesses as they navigate new opportunities and challenges.
Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Economic Vitality.
Design
We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to enhance your community’s physical and visual assets. When we talk about Design, we’re talking about:
- Creating an inviting, inclusive atmosphere
- Celebrating historic character
- Fostering accessible, people-centered public spaces
Our team is ready to help with a range of Design services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from workshops covering the elements of people-first transportation planning to deep dives into disaster preparedness planning.
Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Design.
Promotion
We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to position your Main Street as the heart of your community. When we talk about Promotion, we’re talking about:
- Marketing a district’s defining asset
- Communicating unique features through storytelling
- Supporting a buy-local experience
Our team is ready to help with a range of Promotion services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from guidance on how to establish promotional campaigns for your program and projects to in-depth sessions on how to work with businesses to increase participation in your events.
Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Promotion.
Organization
We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create a strong foundation for your program. When we talk about Organization, we’re talking about:
- Building leadership and strong organizational capacity
- Ensuring broad community engagement
- Forging partnerships across sectors
Our team is ready to help with a range of Organization services whether you are just starting with Main
Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from workshops on how to manage
board roles and responsibilities to deep dives into how to develop a business plan for your program that is financially sustainable.
Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Organization.
Contact us
We want to work with you! Please reach out with any questions and one of our team members will get back to you.