Join us May 6 – 8 in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference!
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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.
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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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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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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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2022 was a monumental year for Main Street America and the Main Street Movement, and that excitement and momentum was reflected on our blog. From the ongoing pivots needed to meet changing community needs to the timeless power of place, these are the most popular blog posts we published this year.
Ed McMahon, MSA Board Chair Emeritus, January 5
“Change is inevitable, but the destruction of community character and identity is not.”
2022 started off strong with this powerful, thought-provoking piece by Main Street America Board Chair Emeritus Ed McMahon on the role that place plays in shaping community character, identity, and more. He advocates for “placekeeping,” the preservation of the cultural, historic, and social features that define and enrich a community. This includes maintaining public spaces, restoring historic architectural features, conserving natural resources, and designing new developments that fit in with the existing community identity.
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“Focus on helping your businesses diversify revenue streams beyond walk-in traffic to strengthen and grow the economic base of your district.”
Matt Wagner is well-known for his prescient predictions, and this year was no exception. His vision for 2022 included an increase in tiny homes, cost issues stemming from the supply chain, tourism driven by electric car charging needs, a continued reliance on e-commerce, and more. Read this article to see how his predictions for the year stacked up against reality.
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Mike Powe, PhD, MSA Director of Research, March 22
“26% of small business owners said they were extremely confident (10 out of 10), and 59% rated their confidence as an 8, 9, or 10.”
The start of this year was marred by the hardships and uncertainty that had so-far defined the pandemic, but our small business survey also found a lot of hope. PPP loans and other federal programs had successful saved many Main Street businesses, with some districts reporting more business starts than closures. Despite this good news, many were concerned about inflation and supply-chain problems, fears which were justified later in the year.
Read More >
Ed McMahon, MSA Board Chair Emeritus, May 25
“Sign regulation is one of the most powerful actions a community can take to make an immediate, visible change in its physical environment.”
Ed McMahon brought his decades-long expertise in historic preservation to the Main Street network in May with this detailed piece on the importance of sign regulation in historic commercial districts. Signs play an important role in the look and feel of a district, and Ed argues that Main Streets need to pay special attention to what their signs are saying to visitors. He lays out the different kinds of signs and the unique considerations for each, as well as the legal and economic challenges of regulating them.
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Emily Kurash Casey, Rethos’ Director of Community Programs, August 2
“Making upper floors not only habitable, but accessible and safe, is crucial to the continuation of successful downtown districts.”
Rethos, the Coordinating partner for Minnesota Main Streets, showed the power of creative thinking for funding small-scale development with their new initiative, “Looking Up.” They were awarded a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant of $700,000, which they will re-grant to Minnesota communities to support housing development projects in vacant second stories of historic downtown buildings. Main Street America’s research has found that 75% of Main Street managers feel that there is not enough housing to accommodate everyone who wants to live in their district, and innovative projects like “Looking Up” can help meet that demand.
Read More >
Marta Olmos, MSA Communications Coordinator, August 9
“Farmers Markets are businesses, but they are also community builders.”
For National Farmers Market Week, Main Street America explored the potential of farmers markets as a transformation strategy for Main Street districts. We interviewed Main Street staff across the country to learn how they have used farmers markets to connect with each of the four points and bring new life to their districts. From small business support programs to fun social promotions, these Main Streets are making farmers markets cool again.
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Patrice Frey, MSA Senior Advisor, September 27
“Without a scalable solution, the lack of capital will continue to suppress economic development, marginalize communities of color and rural places, and perpetuate our culture of waste and environmental destruction by leaving high quality existing buildings vacant or underutilized.”
2022 was a year full of transitions including Patrice Frey’s decision to step down from her position as our President and CEO and shift to serving as the Senior Advisor of our new Small Deal Initiative. This important and necessary project seeks to bridge the funding gaps facing small-scale development projects in historic commercial districts, who often rely on self-financing or other tenuous sources. The Small Deal Initiative is currently conducting research to gain a better understand the specific challenges and needs facing our communities before digging deeper into solutions.
Read More >
Thank you for an amazing year! Stay tuned for for more thought-provoking blogs in 2023.
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.
Online registration and the regular rate are available through Friday, April 26. Download the conference mobile app, sign-up for the attendee webinar, grab some Shop Main Street merch, get recommendations, and more!
With just a little over a month to go until we convene in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference from May 6-8, we are excited to announce that the full schedule is available online and the mobile app is ready for download.
From budgets and staffing to programming priorities and the myriad of backgrounds that bring people to Main Street, the insights and key findings from this year's trends survey provide a snapshot of the state of the Main Street Movement.
REV Birmingham and Woodlawn United share how they work to reenergize spaces and places in Birmingham, Alabama, through civic infrastructure projects in the city’s historic commercial corridors.
With a specially priced registration rate of $199, tailored education track, free lunch & learn session, and abundant networking opportunities, Main Street Now 2024 is made for civic leaders passionate about community preservation and economic development in historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors.
Kelly Ingram Park © Greater Birmingham CVB
Register by March 11 to lock in big savings with the early bird rate!
Join us in Birmingham, Alabama, May 4-5, 2024, for one of Main Street America Institute’s highest rated and recommended workshops!
Downtown Birmingham, Alabama © Sean Pavone/iStock
Opportunities to experience time-tested Main Street Approach techniques and creative solutions in action abound in Birmingham with these great excursions.
Oxford, Alabama © City of Oxford, Alabama
Last chance to make your voice heard with Main Street America's 2024 Main Street Trends Survey!
Meet the recipients of the 2024 round of GM on Main Street grants.
Check out these new experiences at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.
Birmingham skyline from Railroad Park. © Sean Pavone/iStock
Join us in Birmingham, Alabama, May 4-5, 2024, for one of Main Street America Institute’s highest rated and recommended workshops!
Meet Main Street America's new Board Chair, Jess Zimbabwe.
Contribute your perspective to our annual survey of the Main Street Movement.
Check out some of the highlights of the many sessions that will be offered at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference.
Woodlawn Market Place © Nathan Watson/Bham Now
Join us in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 6-9 for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference!
Recognize the exceptional Main Street leader in your community with this prestigious award.
From housing to small business and more, read the best blogs we shares in 2023!
Florence, SC © Phil Eich
Starting in early 2024, we will engage in an intensive program assessment of MSAI. We look forward to bringing an enhanced Main Street professional development experience to the network later in the year.
Meet the communities who received a T-Mobile Hometown Grant to support community-driven placemaking initiatives.
Recognize an exception leader in your community with this prestigious Main Street award.
Get ready for three days of education sessions, special events, mobile workshops, and opportunities to explore "The Magic City."
Recognize an exceptional leader in your community with this prestigious Main Street award!
We spoke with Erin Barnes to learn more about her passions and interests and explore her plans for the Movement.
Main Streeters gathered for the Community Transformation Workshop to explore strategies to advance their work.
Meet the new officers and new members, and give thanks to the outgoing members on Main Street America's leadership council.
Ostego, MI
Founded in 2003 and currently housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Main Street (MMS) recently celebrated 20 years of impact across 41 communities.
Boyne City, MI © Michigan Main Street
Don't miss your chance to submit a proposal for a session at the 2024 Main Street Now conference!
Meet the latest recipients of this community development grant program.
Erin Barnes shares her neighborhood and invites other Main Streeters to share theirs.
Congratulations to these exceptional Main Street programs!
Don't miss your chance to submit a proposal for the 2024 Main Street Now conference!
Don't miss your chance to share your expertise with attendees in Birmingham, Alabama!
Leaders from a Virginia Main Street program traveled to South Carolina to learn from another award-winning community.
© Jenny Boulware
This three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to more effectively work with small business owners in their districts and create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship.
© Notice Pictures
Share you perspective and expertise at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 6-8.
Don't miss your opportunity to participate in this exciting educational opportunity!
We are excited to announce that Erin Barnes has been chosen as our next President and CEO. Learn more about her career.
The recordings of our Summer School Webinar Series are now available in the Knowledge Hub!
Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your community's achievements!
Share your ideas for exciting and innovative sessions at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference!
Learn how you can harness design principles and strategies to create a cooler, more welcoming downtown.
Join us for a three-part webinar series revisiting some of the most popular sessions from the 2023 Main Street Now Conference
Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your community's achievements!
Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
Join us for a three-part webinar series revisiting some of the most popular sessions from the 2023 Main Street Now Conference
Meet the newest recipients of the T-Mobile Hometown Grants, reaching a milestone of 200 towns impacted by the program.
Nominate your community for this prestigious award recognizing excellence in commercial district revitalization.
Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
We are excited to share a recent collaboration with Spark! Places of Innovation, a traveling exhibition curated by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program.
Washington, D.C. © Rizka
Learn how to tackle complex revitalization scenarios with our Community Transformation Workshop, October 2-3 in Vancouver, WA.
Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
Thinking about applying for the 2024 Great American Main Street Award? Tune in to the application webinar on June 21!
Florence, SC © Downtown Florence Main Street Program
We are excited to welcome Jenice Contreras to the Main Street America Board of Directors. Jenice has a long record of leadership across community and economic development with deep experience with equitable growth, small-scale development, and cultural preservation.
Cleveland, OH © DJ Johnson
Join Main Street America experts in Vancouver, Wash., to gain first-hand experience in harnessing transformation strategies to successfully revitalize your Main Street!
Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
We are excited to announce that 862 Main Street programs across the country have earned Accredited status, Main Street America’s top level of recognition.
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
The MSARP credential is the highest level of achievement offered through the Main Street America Institute, requiring dedication to completing a rigorous curriculum of online courses, readings, assignments, workshops, and a challenging final exam.
Over the course of three days, nearly 1900 Main Streeters from near and far gathered for dynamic educational sessions, immersive mobile workshops, and network-building activities.
Check out our new shop featuring clothing and apparel, accessories, home and office goods, and kids’ and baby items inspired by the Main Street Movement.
Main Street America is proud to recognize John Bry, Program Coordinator at Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) in Michigan, as the 2023 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient.
Meet the three communities who were honored with this prestigious award!
There is so much to see, learn, explore, taste, and enjoy across our neighborhood districts. Welcome to Boston!
Explore the resiliency and future-focused mindset of Roslindale Village Main Street, one of the first urban Main Street Programs in the nation.
Preview a selection of the 12 unique mobile workshops on offer at Main Street Now 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
A vendor serves beverages at the Roslindale Summer Farmers Market in 2022. © Bruce Spero Photography
We’re excited to announce a new suite of resources designed for Main Street! The Main Street Foundations Series provides an overview of each Point through four comprehensive introductory videos, one-page guides, materials from our resource center, and more.
Todd Wolford, executive director of Downtown Wytheville Inc and recipient of the 2022 Mary Means Leadership Award, reflects on his Main Street career.
Jackie Swihart, Program Officer for MSA, shares some key takeaways from the three-day event.
Laramie, WY © Main Street America
Illinois Main Street's work over the last 30 years and the exciting projects they are planning in the future.
Alton, IL © Alton Main Street
Learn how Main Streets from California to Florida have used Farmers Markets to transform their communities and achieve Main Street goals.
Outgoing President and CEO Patrice Frey closes out her tenure at Main Street America and transitions into a new role.
At the Opening Plenary at the Main Street Now Conference in Richmond, Virginia, Patrice Frey shared lessons and reflections from her past nine years at Main Street.
Main Street America congratulates our 2022 designated communities and explores the impact of the Main Street Movement.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Mary Means, founder of the Main Street Movement, reflects on her experiences at Main Street Now 2022 and shares advice for local leaders.
Meet the winners of this award recognizing Main Street excellence.
Meet Parramore, a historically African-American community in Orlando, Florida.
Orlando, FL © Tyla Harrington
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Main Street America's partners in Chicago celebrate two years of training and technical assistance in the city.
Chicago, IL © Main Street America
Leverage NC, a partnership between North Carolina Main Street and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, hosted a four-part webinar series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development led by Ed McMahon, Chair Emeritus of Main Street America and a leading national authority on land use policy and economic development.
After many zoom meetings, our road warriors are back visiting communities and providing technical assistance.
Washington, IA © Kathy La Plante
Ridgefield Main Street is an energetic, up-and-coming Washington Main Street program located just north of Vancouver, Washington.
A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
Here's a bit of background on each of the communities. Read on for the Refresh Implementation Q&A.
The National Main Street Center, Inc. announced the 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) during its annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The National Main Street Center and the Brookings Institution have jointly authored a response to Mr. Hyman’s piece, The Reality of Main Street, that is featured on Brookings’ blog.
Michigan Main Street Center was the first Coordinating Program to implement the new Main Street approach on a large scale. In this article, they share their robust process and valuable lessons.
There is another way for smaller communities to compete in today’s economy and we believe a strong main street strategy is at the heart of it.
Letter from past MSA President, Patrice Frey
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Back in October 2015, we introduced the three key components of the refreshed Main Street Approach: inputs, outputs and Community Transformation Strategies.
For a lucky few downtowns, greatness may happen effortlessly with a strong sense of place that seems to develop organically and simply sustain itself. For most places, success doesn’t happen by chance.
This need for change results from the heavy emphasis on three components of the refreshed Main Street Approach.
The 2016 winners are a diverse group in geography and character, but together demonstrate the broad applicability of the Main Street Approach:
The first official show under the Main Street Nation banner aired in June 2015 on WJR-760 AM Detroit.
The economic value of historic preservation on Main Street.
A series of demonstration projects providing the opportunity to test new strategies on the ground, learn from practitioners, and refine the approach.
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
While there have been over $1.2 billion in public and private investment in Wisconsin Main Street communities over the past 27 years, what really makes it special are the people and places that have been involved.
Main Street Bartow's empty storefronts become pop-up art galleries to promote economic development.
Although a “beach town,” Rehoboth Beach is open 365 days a year, and with that has the unique challenge of catering to both year-round residents and tourists within a wide range of ages, interests and economic levels
In communities across the country, hardworking business owners and buy local advocates come together to foster an organized effort to reinvent and revitalize Main Streets and downtown districts.
The National Main Street Center is pleased to announce that Cape Girardeau, Mo., Montclair Center, N.J., and Rawlins, Wyo. were selected as the 2015 Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) winners.
