Main Street America is thrilled to announce the 12 Science Discovery on Main Street grant program recipients.

By connecting the Main Street Approach with science, this initiative aims to help Main Street communities inspire curiosity, joy, and pride in what makes each community unique through creating engaging science-inspired attractions, events, and activities.

Through the Science Discovery on Main Street grant program, grantees receive $12,500 to explore unique aspects of their community in relation to science. With the funding, grantees will build relationships with partners and plan science-centered events and programming for residents and visitors. In addition, communities will receive professional support and have opportunities to collaborate and learn with other grantees. After the initial grant period, communities will be able to receive additional implementation funding to put their plans into action.

Some communities have already identified science aspects to explore – from local environmental phenomena to paleontology to night sky exploration and more – while others are eager to see what they uncover through the process. 

The Science on Main Street grant recipients are:

1. Main Street Atmore | Atmore, Alabama
2. Monroeville Main Street | Monroeville, Alabama
3. Osceola Main Street | Osceola, Arkansas
4. Main Street Gainesville | Gainesville, Georgia
5. Emporia Main Street, Inc. | Emporia, Kansas
6. Heart of Biddeford | Biddeford, Maine
7. Main Street Columbus, Inc. | Columbus, Mississippi
8. Alamogordo MainStreet | Alamogordo, New Mexico
9. Mora MainStreet | Mora, New Mexico
10. Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc. A Revitalization Corporation | Elizabeth City, North Carolina
11. Hillsboro Main Street Program | Hillsboro, Texas
12. Advance Shullsburg | Shullsburg, Wisconsin 

This initiative is funded by a grant from Simons Foundation International and administered by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division.