Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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.
Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
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.
Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America
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!
Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.
Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
The full version of this article is published on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) blog, Cogito. The OECD Cogito blog features insights on entrepreneurship, SMEs, tourism, and cities. Click here to read the full story.
The past two-and-a-half years have represented one of the most challenging times for Main Street businesses across the US. The global pandemic transformed the way we work and shop. While many businesses were able to weather the storm of the global pandemic shutdowns, running a small business along our Main Streets is now more complex – with managers grappling with new workforce issues, rising inflation, and greater competition from major online retailers.
Despites these pressures, I want to make the case that small businesses can use these changes to their advantage by adapting new technologies and harnessing the power of place.
Prior to the pandemic, e-commerce shopping was at 10.7 percent of retail sales, which then exploded to 14 percent in 2020, and last year with the exuberance of being able to go out and shop in stores again, online sales fell back to 11.8 percent. Yet with new generations of shoppers that were born to shop online, there remains a need for Main Street businesses to have a more aggressive “bricks-n-clicks” strategy.
This transition can be a challenge for small business owners. A March 2020 survey of nearly 7,500 small business owners conducted by Main Street America revealed that 63 percent of retailers did not have an e-commerce component to their business. Of those that did, it represented only a small fraction of their sales.
In interviews with small business owners, MSA found the key barriers to greater adoption was confusion around what they needed. There are thousands of different software programs and sales platforms but nothing to guide toward a unique set of solutions. To support them, MSA developed the Main Street Online Tool, powered by GoDaddy, as a free diagnostic tool to assist businesses with understanding their unique needs for social media and digital commerce. Progress is being made, as a follow-up survey in March 2022 of nearly 1,600 small business owners showed a 10 percent increase in e-commerce usage.
Continue reading >>>
See how Atlanta’s small business owners and corridor leaders are breaking barriers through the B3 initiative, building resilience, honoring legacy, and shaping inclusive growth.
Learn proven strategies for taking over a small business from other entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated business succession.
The USDA Rural Business Development Program brought coaching and peer learning opportunities to small business owners in Wyoming, Kentucky, and California. Here is how you can also develop a business development coaching program that supports Main Street businesses, providing them with technical skills and support networks for success.
