Notice

This is a preview version of the website. Some content may not be up to date.

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
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
Left: Mayor Lori Lightfoot gives opening remarks at the INVEST South/West anniversary event in November 2021. Right: UrbanMain stakeholders gather at the anniversary event. From left to right: Kimberly Morris, VP of Real Estate and Inclusion, Chicago Neighborhood Initiative (Roseland/Pullman ISW Corridor Manager Partner); James Harbin, Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Development, City of Chicago; Melvin Wesley, AIA – 1st Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Development, City of Chicago; Dionne Baux, Vice President of Urban Development, Main Street America; Maurice Cox, Commissioner of Planning and Development, City of Chicago; Gustavo Ustariz, Senior Manager, Marketing & Outreach, UrbanMain Program. Courtesy of Gustavo Ustariz.

Main Street America’s UrbanMain Program is in a multi-year contract with the City of Chicago to provide training and technical assistance to commercial corridor managers participating in the city’s INVEST South/West program, which recently hit a two-year milestone.

Initiated in the fall of 2019 and supported by more than $750 million in public funding, INVEST South/West is targeting the commercial corridors of 10 Chicago neighborhoods with focused improvements that include new, mixed-use construction projects, the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, new plazas, small business grants, related public realm improvements, and Main Street America training and technical assistance. Main Street America has worked with the local community partners to develop tools and resources that will help restore neighborhood vitality and provide a healthy business ecosystem for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

To date, Main Street America has provided training and technical assistance through the UrbanMain program for eight commercial corridor manager organizations working in six corridors in the south and west sides on the city. One of the commercial corridor manager organizations is the Austin African American Business Networking Association (AAABNA), responsible for the Chicago Avenue commercial corridor in the Austin neighborhood.

Malcolm Crawford, the executive director shared with us: “I really enjoy being a part of the Main Street America’s UrbanMain Family. It has helped us to understand that we are not alone. That there are many around the country that have undertaken the same task to make their Main Street the show piece or window to their community.”

Andrea Reed, Executive Director of Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce, an INVEST South/West community, is looking forward to working with UrbanMain to continue to grow their district. “We have only just begun to implement the proven strategic plan within our corridor manager programming. UrbanMain is a great fit for our commercial corridors because it is our goal to improve economic growth, transform, revitalize, and preserve the historic presence throughout our corridors which specifically matches the proven goals UrbanMain has historically accomplished throughout the country.”

This past November marked the two-year anniversary of the launch of the INVEST South/West initiative and was celebrated with an event gathering different stakeholders involved.

In 2022, at least five additional commercial corridors will be onboarded to receive Main Street America technical assistance through the UrbanMain program. A request for proposals is being initiated so that organizations working in economic development in their communities can apply to become part of the UrbanMain network. This round of applications will be open to organizations working in commercial corridors across the city of Chicago.