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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.

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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.

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
Thursday Night Market in historic Downtown Grass Valley, Calif., creates opportunities for local innovators and artists to connect with residents. Courtesy of: Grass Valley Downtown Association.
Thursday Night Market in historic Downtown Grass Valley, Calif., creates opportunities for local innovators and artists to connect with residents. Courtesy of: Grass Valley Downtown Association.

“Invention can happen anywhere and it’s happening right now in small towns across America. Rural Americans are creating new products, taking risks, meeting challenges together, and seizing upon exciting opportunities that change local life and sometimes reach far beyond.”

This statement welcomes visitors to the website for Spark! Places of Innovation, a traveling exhibition curated by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program. And this summer—as the exhibition begins traveling to small towns in Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan, including four Main Street communities—the stories of local innovators in the technical, social, cultural, and artistic spaces will also include those of the Main Street movement.

In addition to highlighting the ingenuity of residents in each community, the 2023/2024 exhibition also features an interactive, audio-visual sequence for visitors to learn about the Main Street Approach and explore the innovative ways that local leaders across the United States have leveraged the Four Points in their downtowns. The profiles include:

Volunteers are the driving force of the Rawlins DDA/Main Street program.  From the launch of the Rainbow Te-ton Entrepreneur Center to installing public arts projects and organizing special events downtown, volunteers make a big impact. Image courtesy of Rawlins DDA/Main Street.
Rawlins DDA/Main Street in Rawlins, Wyoming. Image courtesy of Rawlins DDA/Main Street.

Organization: Volunteers are the driving force of the Rawlins DDA/Main Street program. From the launch of the Rainbow Te-ton Entrepreneur Center to installing public arts projects and organizing special events downtown, volunteers make a big impact.

Community, culture, and history come together at Zuni Pueblo MainStreet. The nation’s first Native American Main Street program utilizes annual cultural and ceremonial events to preserve and promote the rich heritage of their community.   Image courtesy of Zuni Pueblo MainStreet.
Zuni Pueblo MainStreet in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. Image courtesy of Zuni Pueblo MainStreet.

Promotion: Community, culture, and history come together at Zuni Pueblo MainStreet. The nation’s first Native American Main Street program utilizes annual cultural and ceremonial events to preserve and promote the rich heritage of their community.

Main Street DeFuniak Spring’s colorful street banner program creates a welcoming atmosphere and celebrates local heritage. The annual Black History Month banner program honors the contributions of the community’s African American residents.    Image courtesy of Main Street DeFuniak Springs.
Main Street DeFuniak Springs in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Image courtesy of Main Street DeFuniak Springs.

Design: Main Street DeFuniak Spring’s colorful street banner program creates a welcoming atmosphere and celebrates local heritage. The annual Black History Month banner program honors the contributions of the community’s African American residents.

Boyne City Main Street supports a diverse mix of local businesses. Regular engagement with business owners connects these individuals with valuable resources, while seasonal shop local and special events bring shoppers downtown. Image courtesy of Boyne City Main Street.
Boyne City Main Street in Boyne City, Michigan. Image courtesy of Boyne City Main Street.

Economic Vitality: Boyne City Main Street supports a diverse mix of local businesses. Regular engagement with business owners connects these individuals with valuable resources, while seasonal shop local and special events bring shoppers downtown.

Through these audio clips, images, stories, and statistics, individuals throughout the country are learning about Main Street America, our network of innovative leaders, and the importance of sustaining a thriving Main Street core in communities.

Check out the Spark! Places of Innovation exhibition in these Main Street America communities:

July 8, 2023-August 19, 2023: Three Rivers DDA/Main Street in Three Rivers, Michigan
December 2, 2023-January 13, 2024: Downtown Nampa in Nampa, Idaho
January 20, 2024-March 3, 2024: Grand Haven Main Street in Grand Haven, Michigan
February 24, 2024-March 30, 2024: Marshall Main Street in Marshall, Illinois

Learn more about the exhibition and view the full schedule here >