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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.

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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.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

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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.

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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.

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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

Main Street America is proud to recognize Heart of Biddeford in Biddeford, Maine; Hammond Downtown Development District in Hammond, Louisiana; and Laramie Main Street Alliance in Laramie, Wyoming as the 2022 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners. This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The 2022 GAMSA designations, sponsored by The Hartford, were presented at the opening plenary for the 2022 Main Street Now conference, in Richmond, VA.

“Biddeford, Hammond, and Laramie demonstrate that our community-driven approach to commercial district revitalization is a powerful transformation tool,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO of Main Street America. “While each program’s story and work are unique, the 2022 GAMSA winners share the same commitment to grassroots community development through initiatives that center principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Heart of Biddeford – Biddeford, Maine

For many years, Biddeford, Maine’s downtown was colloquially known as “Trashtown” due to the presence of a large incinerator in the center of the historic mill district. Revitalization work led by Heart of Biddeford began in 2004 with a focus on beautifying the area, creating opportunities to bring people downtown through events, and promoting economic vitality through preservation-focused redevelopment. With the support of forward-thinking city leaders and passionate residents, today downtown Biddeford is known as a quintessential New England town. From a 4th generation bakery and the oldest diner in Maine, to a thriving parks program and engaging annual festivals, Biddeford offers all the pleasures of coastal living with a growing array of amenities, diverse cultural attractions, green space, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Heart of Biddeford’s continued success is made possible through their commitment to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement across all Four Points of the Main Street Approach. Notable examples of this commitment include partnering with veterans’ organizations to host parades downtown, collaborating with Black Owned Maine to increase the organization’s capacity to incubate and promote Black-owned businesses in the district, and raising the inaugural Pride flag in the city in 2021. The impact of Heart of Biddeford’s commitment to inclusive revitalization has yielded impressive results. Today the district’s 4.5% commercial vacancy rate is an additional point of pride and drastic improvement compared to 20.7% in 2006. To date 200 net new jobs and 167 net new businesses have been created, 99 buildings rehabilitated, and $216 million in public and private funds invested in the downtown area.

Learn More About Heart of Biddeford >

Hammond Downtown Development District – Hammond, Louisiana


When the Louisiana Main Street program began in 1984, Hammond was one of four Louisiana communities initially selected. Since that time, the Hammond Downtown Development District has worked tirelessly to execute an ambitious portfolio of revitalization projects and events that have been carefully planned in partnership with residents, merchants, property owners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to dually create spaces that reflect the town’s diversity and bring shoppers, diners, and purveyors to the district. As a result, they have achieved an impressive record of impactful projects that have truly transformed the city.

Signature outcomes—past and present—include championing forward-thinking and innovative adaptive re-use and preservation projects, resulting in the rehabilitation of 115 buildings and $20.3 million invested. Downtown Hammond has also made significant strides in establishing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. This includes welcoming 60 new businesses to the district, decreasing the vacancy rate from 80% in 1984 to just 6% today, and partnering with community-based groups to increase opportunities for Black-owned enterprises in the Main Street area. Seasonal events, artisan and farmers’ markets, and street festivals, bring residents and visitors downtown, complimenting and contributing to the organization’s community building, economic development, and people-centered design initiatives.

Learn More About Hammond Downtown Development District >

Laramie Main Street Alliance – Laramie, Wyoming

Sitting along the Union Pacific Railroad Line, downtown Laramie is a lively pocket among the rural plains and home to a melting pot of longtime residents and University of Wyoming students. Work to preserve and revitalize Laramie’s downtown began in the 1980s and gained momentum in 2005 when the Laramie Main Street Alliance was founded as a program of the Wyoming Main Street. Over the span of the following 17 years, Laramie’s revitalization efforts have created a climate that has resulted in more than $21 million in public and private investment, 398 private rehabilitation projects, and the creation of 148 new businesses and 689 new jobs (net).

Laramie Main Street Alliance’s success is credited to the organization’s steadfast use of The Main Street Approach, strong culture of lifelong learning, service, and community connection, and robust volunteer program. Volunteers—from board members to university students—have logged over 59,000 hours of service valued at over $1.2 million. The organization’s leadership in the Laramie Mural Project, Big Hollow Food Co-Op, and Cowboy Cash pandemic-response program are just three examples of Laramie Main Street Alliance’s excellence in addressing the economic and social needs of the community through coalition building, bold action, and innovative solutions.

Learn More About Laramie Main Street Alliance >