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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
Workshop participants in downtown Vancouver, Wash. Photo by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.
Workshop participants in downtown Vancouver, Wash. Photo by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.

On October 3, 2023, Main Street leaders from across the country convened in the theater of the Columbia Gorge Museum in Stevenson, Washington, for the first day of the Community Transformation Workshop, offered by the Main Street America Institute (MSAI). With coffee in hand, attendees gathered to ponder a very important question: "What do you want to learn from this workshop?”

Digging into Transformation Strategies was top of mind for many participants. Building community and consensus, understanding and leveraging data, and developing effective solutions were common responses as well. With learning objectives identified, Main Street America staff instructors launched into the curriculum. Over the course of the next two days, these topics served as steadfast anchors, emerging as probing questions, thoughtful theories, and energetic discourse.

Data + Observation = Winning Formula

Workshop participants analyze data for Stevenson, Wash., (left) and interview the owner of Traverse PNW Market to gather additional insight into economic challenges and opportunities (right). Photos by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.
Workshop participants analyze data for Stevenson, Wash., (left) and interview the owner of Traverse PNW Market to gather additional insight into economic challenges and opportunities (right). Photos by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.

Workshop participants were highly engaged in data analysis and transformation strategy work planning exercises, with many asking questions informed by critical analysis of the data generated through census records, economic indicators, and other sources. The big takeaway was that while helpful, numbers don’t tell the whole story. Digging into the data, asking questions, and pairing data reports with information collected through conversations with residents and community members will offer a fuller picture of a district’s challenges and opportunities for growth.

Place-Based Solutions in Action: Similar Problems, Different Solutions

The Vancouver, Wash., district tour included a stop at Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary for conversation with the owner and refreshments. Photo by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.
The Vancouver, Wash., district tour included a stop at Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary for conversation with the owner and refreshments. Photo by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.

Throughout the two-day workshop, instructors utilized case studies to demonstrate the importance of rooting Transformation Strategies in a Main Street district’s unique circumstances and individual needs. Walkabouts through downtown Stevenson and Vancouver offered an example of this approach in action: two innovative solutions developed in response to addressing the need for enhancing the visitor experience.

Crossing guard flags help pedestrians safely cross the busy main thoroughfare in Stevenson, Wash., (left). In Vancouver, Wash., an umbrella-lending program provides visitors with protection from the elements (right). Photos by Alicia Gallo/Main Street America.

In Stevenson, a scenic byway serves as the district’s Main Street, with vehicle traffic moving quickly and in high volume, especially during the busy summer season. To enhance safety and increase accessibility, high visibility pedestrian crossing signs and communal signal flags were installed at crosswalks.

In Vancouver, the Pacific Northwest’s infamous rainy climate can sometimes deter residents and visitors alike from venturing outside of their homes and into local businesses. An umbrella-lending program with borrow/return stations at shops helps keep visitors covered while they shop downtown.

Although each downtown district is distinctly different in their location, size, and character, both Main Street programs are finding solutions rooted in similar principles and tailored to meet the needs of their communities.

Tangible Takeaways

After two days of deep dives into data, in-depth discussions, and district exploration—and some time to reflect as they traveled home—what were the biggest takeaways? Here are a few perspectives that participants shared:

“Engagement is a two-way street, and we need to leverage our market data to better engage with our residents. I'll be working with my board to share our local data and examine additional ways to stimulate active engagement with our district beyond surveys.” 
 
“Seeing two starkly different communities and their unique challenges was hugely beneficial in reinforcing that Transformation Strategies are truly unique for every place and that every place has to find their ‘why’ behind Main Street work. What works in one community isn't always going to be relevant for another. We have to use market-informed decision making for maximum success.” 

The Community Transformation Workshop is offered annually each fall. For more information about this educational opportunity, click here.

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Franklin Bronze Plaques, 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 >