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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.

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
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 Skowhegan Executive Director Kristina Cannon cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship. Photo courtesy of Kristina Cannon.

Last week, Main Street Skowhegan opened their new Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, a downtown space for co-working, meeting, entrepreneurial support, trainings, and education. “The Center is for the community, business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, local youth, and anyone passing through who needs a place to co-work,” said Main Street Skowhegan Executive Director Kristina Cannon.

In 2020, Skowhegan was selected as one of three Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Pilot Program communities in the state of Maine. As part of the program, a team of stakeholders gathered and evaluated Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem using surveys, virtual focus groups, and a specialized assessment from Main Street America. Armed with all this information and grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation, Main Street Skowhegan drafted an implementation plan for bolstering their entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After engaging 135 business owners and hearing positive feedback from a significant percentage of them, Main Street Skowhegan began searching for a space to lease and hired a new staff member to run the Center. “It's important to have data, a plan, and strategies for success before applying for funding,” said Kristina Cannon. “Start small and figure out how to make the budget work to ensure future sustainability."

Partnerships were key to the program from the beginning. When Main Street Skowhegan applied to be an entrepreneurial ecosystems pilot community, they reached out to core local partners, including the Town of Skowhegan, the Skowhegan Economic Development Corporation, and the Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce. They also developed new partnerships with the school district and the Somerset Career and Technical Center. Partners brought subject-matter expertise, new contacts, and additional voices to advocate for the project. Since the project launched, even more partners have been brought on, including Dirigo Labs, a Build-to-Scale EDA-funded accelerator.

“If you're interested in developing a Center for Entrepreneurship in your own community, I would recommend bringing together a team and starting with a local assessment of the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Kristina Cannon. The long-term goals of the center include helping to attract, retain, and grow businesses, assisting entrepreneurs, and cultivating a strengthened and diversified business ecosystem in Skowhegan.