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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!

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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
Podcast Spotlight

Today, we are thrilled to release the first episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast hosted by Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner. Every Wednesday, tune into Matt's conversations with Main Street and neighborhood entrepreneurs from around the country. Every episode will explore a different business owner’s journey into entrepreneurship, offering their personal perspectives, lessons learned, and wisdom on operating and succeeding along Main Street.

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Main Street Business Insights will dive into the intersections between small business owners and their communities and explore the sizable impact small businesses have on the national economy.

“Given my background in both downtown revitalization and entrepreneurship, I’ve always felt that the peer-to-peer learning that occurs through our own Main Street network could be replicated by given small businesses the opportunity to hear from one another, sharing challenges, solutions, and their lived experiences and expertise.” said Wagner. “In my field work over the recent years, I’ve seen first-hand the astounding level of innovation occurring among small business owners, even in the face of economic, social, and environmental turbulence. Main Street Business Insights will weave these stories from the perspective of Main Street businesses demonstrating their impact on our communities and broader economy.”

Episode 1: Blending Mission and Economic Impact with Maine Grains Owner Amber Lambke

In the inaugural episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sat down with the co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Amber Lambke. Located in downtown Skowhegan, Maine, Maine Grains is a grist mill that processes locally grown and organic heritage grains for bakers, brewers, and chefs throughout the Northeast. What's more, Maine Grains has created a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem around it that creates jobs, improves land use, and provides healthy food all while serving as a successful model for thriving local entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Amber began her path towards entrepreneurship when she was a new mother, soon after relocating to Skowhegan. With a little time on her hands and a desire to more deeply engage with her new community, Amber began volunteering at the farmer's market. There, she learned that grain farmers and producers were missing components in the local food shed. Maine Grains grew out of a desire to bring locally grown and manufactured grain products back to central Maine.

Her story highlights the importance of how combining a business with a higher purpose, along with a successful formula for growing and scaling, can build community and spur growth.

“Over the last year, I’ve met with entrepreneurs like Amber across America’s Main Streets,” said Wagner. “In all my conversations, I’ve found continued proof of what I have long believed, that small businesses and the people behind them are the engine that drive our communities forward. My hope is that these conversations will inspire entrepreneurs with innovative ways to grow and offer lessons to Main Street leaders to creatively engage with and support their local businesses.”

Go Behind the Scenes with Amber Lambke of Maine Grains

Listen Now to Main Street Business Insights

Main Street Business Insights is available wherever you find your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple linked below.

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Don't forget to listen, subscribe, rate, review, and follow wherever you get your podcasts! To sign up for email notifications with the release of new episodes, please subscribe to our mailing list here.

Stay tuned for next week’s episode featuring Terrand Smith, owner of 37 Oaks in Chicago, Illinois.

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Hestia Creations, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter's Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about the products and services they provide to Main Street organizations, click here >