Get inspiring insights from Main Street business owners and economic development leaders.
Listen Now
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.
Attendees enjoy a drag performance at Pikeville Pride 2023. © Pikeville Pride
Do you remember the first time you felt truly accepted? What did that mean to you? What did you have to do to find that acceptance? These questions are why we created Pikeville Pride. Through our annual Pride Month event, we work alongside Pikeville Main Street to create a welcoming, accepting community in rural Eastern Kentucky.
Pikeville is a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. We make sure our neighbors are warm and safe when it storms and give them extra vegetables from the garden. Our rural community is surrounded by mountains that are tall enough to touch clouds and snaked by some of the best white-water rapids in the world.
In 2017, a group of neo-Nazis planned a rally in downtown Pikeville. Using the name “Traditionalist Worker Party” and symbols that evoked memories of coal mining, they hoped to recruit the stereotypical downtrodden and out-of-work coal miner to their white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ+ cause. They were organized by the same group of people that had previously rallied in Charlottesville, Virginia, resulting in the death of Heather Hayer and injuries to 35 others. In response, the Pikeville community made it clear they did not accept these hateful groups. We knew we needed to make it clear that our community was welcoming and inclusive.
As part of this goal, we decided to create Pikeville Pride. The members of Pikeville Pride come from all walks of life, but we have one thing in common: we want to create the LGBTQ+ community that we needed when we were younger. We want younger generations to grow up knowing it’s okay to be queer and that hatred is not accepted in our community.
Pikeville Pride booth selling Pride merchandise. © Pikeville Pride
In 2018, we hosted our first Pikeville Pride event in Pikeville City Park. The event included vendors, nonprofit resources, drag shows, art, and live music. That year, around 200 attendees joined us to celebrate love and acceptance. The event continued to grow in 2019, doubling guest attendance and offering more vendors and entertainment. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented any in-person events in 2020 and 2021, so Pikeville Pride focused on maintaining a social media presence, providing mutual aid, and conducting fundraising efforts. We returned to an in-person event in 2022 and saw more growth: attendance nearly doubled from the last event! This incredible growth also meant that we were running out of room for vendors and activities in our current venue space. That’s when we realized we needed help. We reached out to Pikeville Main Street Program and began a partnership with them.
In 2023, Pikeville Pride moved to Main Street. The same day, Pikeville Main Street hosted Hippie Fest, an event that focused on peace and love. This ended up being an awesome coincidence, as guests were able to easily attend both events and spend a full day enjoying our downtown community. Over 2,000 people attended Hippie Fest and Pride, making this one of the largest events our Main Street has ever seen. Between the two events, we had nearly 80 vendors, music, art, drag performances, and most importantly, neighbors showing up in support of one another. One of the most beautiful parts of the day was the diversity of the crowd — young, old, many different ethnicities, all genders, all orientations.
We were excited to grow our Main Street connection when we were invited, along with Pikeville Main Street, to speak at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference. At the conference, we highlighted the amazing collaboration between Pikeville Main Street and Pikeville Pride and explained how we are committed to creating inclusive, safe communities in the mountains. Our relationship with Pikeville Main Street has been such a wonderful partnership because we have the same goals in mind — we want to create a vibrant, thriving community that welcomes everyone.
Pikeville Pride and Pikeville Main Street at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference. © Pikeville Pride
Are you interested in organizing a Pride event in your community, or bringing new energy to an existing celebration? Here are some strategies that we used to bring Pikeville Pride to life:
Getting the Word Out
We have used television, radio, newspapers, and social media platforms to advertise our event. We find that using a mixture of traditional methods, as well as digital ones, helps expand our reach and invite folks from many facets of our community.
Finding Vendors
We utilize our existing platforms and contact lists to book vendors. We put out calls for vendors on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok), encouraging anyone who is interested to fill out an application online. Pikeville Main Street has also helped us tremendously by sharing their vendor list with our organization, allowing us to reach out to vendors from various backgrounds to invite them to apply to our event.
Encountering Pushback
Since our first Pride event in 2018, we have received pushback from community members and protesters have appeared at our events. We coordinate with local and state law enforcement to ensure the safety of our attendees, vendors, and team, as well as fulfilling our duty to respect the rights of those protesting. It’s a fine line to walk, and one that is difficult to navigate, but we have been fortunate to overcome this pushback as our event continues to grow in numbers and representation.
Making it Work on a Budget
At our first event, we saw over 500 attendees and only spent $800. It doesn’t take a lot of financial backing to produce an event that will bring a community together and set the tone for the future. We formed a dedicated group of volunteers that were willing to do the heavy lifting, like researching city ordinances and event guidelines.
We are so proud that Pikeville Pride has grown into a place to celebrate LGBTQ+ folks, build community, find resources, and show that rural towns can be for everyone. Whether you dream of starting a Pride event in your community or growing existing celebrations, we hope that our story offers inspiration and advice. And remember that you’re creating something more than just an event — you’re creating a movement. Happy Pride!
Redevelopment Resources, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter’s Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about the services they provide to Main Street organizations, click here >
It is important to make sure that the growth of your community does not result in displacement or marginalization. Putting equity at the core of your transformation strategy helps you work towards measures of success that benefit everyone.
Creating real change in business ownership starts with local communities leading the way, backed by strong partnerships and collaborations.
MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month! We collected ideas and resources to help you explore Jewish American history on your community and work toward a more inclusive Main Street.
At Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, Washington, Native Hawaiians played a critical role in the success of the Hudson Bay Company. Today, Vancouver’s Hawaiian history and heritage plays a crucial role in efforts to reenergize the city’s historic downtown.
Urban Impact Inc., harnesses strategic investments and collaborative efforts to foster a vibrant and sustainable future, from visionary adaptive reuse ventures to transformative development grants for small businesses and property owners in Birmingham, Alabama's historic 4th Avenue Black Business District.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $20B in federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards distributed to eight national non-profit consortiums. Main Street America looks forward to partnership and engagement with awardees and local programs to identify projects and expand impact throughout our network.
Hillsboro, Oregon © Alicia Gallo
Main Street America Program Officer encourages communities to advance equity for women to grow a more inclusive Movement.
Learn how this Louisiana town has used an accessibility-first approach to build a welcoming and inclusive community.
Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
Tasha Sams, Manager of Education Programs, shares highlights of phase one of the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) in Rural Main Streets Program and the biggest takeaways from the workshop experiences.
In this video, learn more about the Williams’ family story, how the business is helping to revive downtown Helena, and the impact they’re having on a national level.
Learn how Main Street Now 2024 host city Birmingham, Alabama, is deepening their commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
© Mayor Randall Woodfin
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Learn how micromobility can increase access, equity, and inclusion in your Main Street with examples from local programs across the network.
Learn how Albany, Georgia, recognizes their civil rights legacy and supports the African American community today.
Celebrate this traditional Mexican holiday with Gardnerville, Nevada.
Gardnerville, NV © Main Street Gardnerville
Tasha Sams shared their experiences at this unique Appalachian cultural festival.
Learn how this community in Oklahoma celebrated Dia de la Independencia with a big festival.
Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Learn how Rio Grande City is building a welcoming and inclusive city for both Mexicans and Americans.
Rio Grande City, TX © Rio Grande City
Learn how the Little Santo Domingo neighborhood of Miami is working with the Truist Foundation to strengthen pathways to small business ownership.
© Allapattah CDC
Learn how this Massachusetts community uses their farmer's market to increase access to fresh food.
Every year, H2BE holds their Juneteenth Mobility Stroll and Roll in Dearborn, MI, which celebrates Black Americans and improves local connections. Learn more about the event and why Juneteenth is important to this community.
Dearborn, MI © H2BE
Do you want to support the next generation of Main Street leadership! Start a youth board! Learn how Historic Downtown Clinton set theirs up and how your organization can benefit from one.
The Main Street Movement is a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community. We spoke to Main Street leaders about how they support the LGBTQ+ community during Pride and beyond.
Steps you can take to engage your local Jewish community and make your Main Street feel welcoming for individual Jewish locals or visitors.
On May 9, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2023 which included a cultural district located within a designated Main Street America community.
Miami, FL © NTHP
The annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Fiesta in the Mexicantown Main Street district offers a great example of collaborative partnerships that honor the community’s cultural heritage and support local businesses through events.
Meet Kavi, the first Indian American Girl of the Year doll and a (fictional) resident of 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner Metuchen, New Jersey!
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer Photography
Community Development Block Grants are powerful tools for Main Street programs. Learn more about how CDBG's can be applied to our work and how you can advocate for the program
Main Street America was awarded $5.9 million to support 20 communities in the Main Streets Community of Practice through the Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program over the next two years.
We spoke to Debbie Ho, Executive Director at Chinatown Main Street, to learn about the history of women in Boston Chinatown.
Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
Meet the newest recipients of this grant program to build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities
Learn the unique history of Folsom, New Mexico, and how they are working with New Mexico MainStreet today.
Learn how Main Street America partner Equiticity is fostering stronger community connections through their bike ride program.
Chicago, IL © Oscar Sanchez.
Learn how this community is honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and telling the stories of Black leaders in their community.
Dublin, GA © Visit Dublin GA
Learn about the City of Boston’s efforts to invest in economic equity.
Downtown Sheridan Association partners with the Crow Tribe to host the annual First People’s Pow Wow event during the WYO Rodeo Week.
We spoke to three women who were awarded Inclusive Backing grants to learn more about their passions, their businesses, and their advice for other women.
Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
Storytelling is a critical part of the placemaking work that we do in Main Street districts. But are we sharing every story equally?
Jonesborough, TN © Jay Huron
Main Street Franklin is leading the way in showing how women business owners can be a powerful force for change in their communities.
Anette Landeros, President and CEO of Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shares the importance of supporting Hispanic business owners and communities.
#EquityRising, Old Algiers Main Street Corporation's new job training program, seeks to combat rising cost of living by helping residents train for careers that will allow them to stay in their neighborhood.
We spoke to three Black business owners who were awarded Backing Small Businesses grants from Main Street America and American Express to better understand their challenges, successes, and the kinds of support that have helped them the most.
Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
June is Pride Month. Learn how Erie, PA, Emporia, KS, Frederick, MD, Macon, GA, and Billings, MT, celebrated the LGBTQ+ community.
Erie, PA © Dave Tamulonis
Stockbridge Main Street has made significant strides in exploring and sharing the story of Martin Luther King, father of civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr.
Stockbridge, GA © Stockbridge Main Street
Juneteenth is the anniversary of the final emancipation of enslaved people in the US. Here are five examples of examples of community celebrations from Main Streets across the network.
Charles Town, WV © Elizabeth Ricketts
Learn how Downtown Florence has partnered with local Francis Marion University to provide opportunities for both students and local small businesses.
Learn about The Bottom, a historic African-American community in Thomasville, Georgia, and efforts to preserve it's history and share it's story.
Thomasville, GA © City of Thomasville
Learn how four Main Street communities celebrated Black History Month.
Oklahoma is home to the headquarters of nearly 40 federally recognized Native American tribes, and many of their offices, cultural sites, and museums are located close to or within Main Street districts.
El Reno, OK © El Reno Main Street
Kendall Whittier is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in an ever-diversifying Tulsa. Learn how they are making efforts to engage their large Hispanic community.
Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
We spoke with two Black entrepreneurs in UrbanMain commercial districts: L. May Creations in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and The Four Way in south Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis, TN © Four Way
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Heart of Biddeford
This May marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We explored the impact and legacy of this tragic event.
Tulsa, OK © Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
Main Street communities across the nation are celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in America and the nation’s newest federal holiday!
Learn about the various programs and initiatives that Fremont is using to promote inclusive economic development.
Fremont, CA © Fremont Economic Development
From small business owners to public artists to local leaders, join us this month to amplify the impact of the LGBTQ+ community in your Main Street district.
San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Brooksville Main Street’s Women Leading the Way Campaign celebrated the legacy of the trailblazing women who made history in their community.
Brooksville, FL © Brooksville Main Street
For Black History Month, we want to recognize and celebrate the Black business owners and entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges and obstacles in launching and running their own businesses, thanks to resilience, creativity, and hard work.
In remembrance and in honor of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., over 900 streets in the United States were named after him. Many are located predominantly in African American communities.
Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
Downtown SLO has kept the magic of their holiday lights installation alive by evolving their winter wonderland into a dual celebration of Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year.
San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Main Street programs around the Network have created engaging and COVID-safe ways to honor and celebrate the histories and lives of Black Americans in their commercial districts.
Meet some amazing women business owners!
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Supporting new and existing small businesses, and the entrepreneurs who run them, represents a vital aspect of the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood business districts.
The Equitable Economic Development Fellowship is a two-year, one million-dollar effort funded by the Surdna Foundation and the Open Society Foundations to help equity, transparency, sustainability and community engagement become driving forces in local economic development efforts.
The Zuni Pueblo MainStreet is the nation's first (and so far, only) Native American Main Street community.
As part of the Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge, Downtown Brattleboro created a pop-up, mobile mini-museum.
History and architecture play an active role in educating and immersing the next generation of preservationists in Le Mars. From museum visits, scavenger hunts, to "show and tell," involving the youth and senior communities is a priority for this Main Street.
Across the county, communities are embracing the arts as a catalyst for revitalization—of buildings, businesses, and local culture.
From walkability and transportation connectivity, to access to nature and availability of fresh food, place is inextricably linked to achieving positive health outcomes in rural America.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Main Street America is committed to helping build inclusive communities. Homelessness is an increasingly important issue facing Main Street communities big and small, urban and rural.
To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
New arrivals have made Shaw more diverse.
Preserving diverse populations, not just buildings.
