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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

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.

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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
Members of LatinFit (a local Zumba Group) take a break from dancing to snap a picture. Event goers were encouraged through-out the event to dance with the group and learn about classes. Photo courtesy of LatinFit.

Last weekend, Emporia Main Street in Kansas celebrated with students from Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College at their annual Welcome Back Student Block Party. The event brought new and returning students into the heart of the downtown and introduced them to local businesses, organizations, and opportunities for students. It included a scavenger hunt, free food, a dunk tank, games, and door prizes.

Students were encouraged to visit as many booths as possible—and meet local business owners—through a passport program. Each booth would add a stamp to the visitor’s passport, and completed passports were submitted for the chance to win a prize. Passports were also an opportunity to collect participants contact information to help Emporia Main Street connect with the student community.

Emporia Main Street has hosted the event for more than 20 years. “We feel that the Welcome Back Block Party is a great way to introduce students to our community,” said Jessica Buchholz, Community Development Coordinator. “We have found that young consumers can sometimes be hesitant to walk into a new storefront (not knowing what to expect) but given the opportunity to do it with others or incorporating it with an event makes them more at ease and willing to make a return visit.” The format shifted during the pandemic to meet public health requirements, and Emporia was excited to bring back the traditional format this year. It ended up being a huge success – the largest block party in the organization’s history!

Next up: Emporia is surveying businesses owners to measure the impact of the event. “We are interested if they choose to set up a booth on the street or if they remained in their business, what type of interactions they had with students, and if they have seen any residual customer traffic since the event,” said Buchholz.

Emporia Main Street encourages other organizations to host similar events. “We are firm believers that downtown is for everyone,” said Buchholz. “This event is a great way to roll out the red carpet to a diverse student body!” She recommends working with universities and colleges as promotional partners to draw the students downtown, and helping businesses craft fun, interactive experiences that will keep attendees engaged. “Students over the past couple of years have endured some socialization constraints, and we need to work extra hard to get them out of their comfort zone and into unique places,” said Buchholz.