Announcing the 2025 Backing Small Businesses Grant Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express.
Congratulations to the Main Street Policy Impact Awardees
Main Street America is proud to recognize Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02) and Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) as the inaugural recipients of the Main Street Policy Impact Award, recognizing their contributions to the revitalization of Main Streets and national policy to support economic development through business district organizations.
All About Sustainability: Blogs and Resources
This month, we are spotlighting blogs and resources to help support the long-term sustainability of your organization.
Main Spotlight: Main Street and Transportation Planning
Insights from the Thriving Communities Toolkit about how you can build partnerships to advance your transportation goals.
Community Spotlight: Celebrating the Other George Washington
Centralia, Washington, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the town's founding by honoring its founder, an African-American homesteader and land speculator named George Washington.
Main Spotlight: Eight Trends for Small Businesses in 2026
Chief Innovation Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., shares his annual predictions for the trends that will impact Main Streets and small businesses in 2026.
This February in The Academy: Focus on Sustainability
From managing projects to supporting the people who are the heart of your efforts, sustainability is a crucial consideration for building a durable Main Street program. The Main Street America Academy is here to help! This month, we invite you to focus on sustainability with this curated collection of learning opportunities and resources.
Bardstown, Kentucky. Photo by Grizzly Media
New! Main Street America Board Handbook
A comprehensive overview of the Main Street Approach, board member fundamentals, and Main Street policies and procedures, as well as tools, resources, and templates to set boards up for success.
Expiring Soon: Lowest Rates for Main Street Now 2026
February 3 is your last chance to save big on registration for the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 13-15, with Early Bird rates. This is your last chance to pre-order your conference T-shirt, and your best chance at getting Big Bash or mobile workshop tickets before they sell out, too. There's so much to experience, learn, and explore at the Main Street movement's biggest gathering of the year: act now to save big!
Photo by BeauMonde Originals
Main Spotlight: Appreciating the Reality of a Storefront Business Owner
This conversation between Main Street America's Director of Research and the owner of a plant shop in Tacoma, Wash., reveals the unique struggles of today's storefront business owners.
