Who We Are | Main Street America
Main Street America staff members stand on stairs.

Atlanta, Georgia © Main Street America

WE ARE MAIN STREET
 

Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts through place-based economic development and community preservation. 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.

Main Street America was founded in 1980 as the National Main Street Center®, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Over the past 40 years the MSA network has helped to generate over $107.62 billion in local reinvestment, rehab 335,675 buildings, create 782,059 new jobs, and start 175,323 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. 
 


We Believe

Main Streets Are for Everyone

Everyone should have access to an inclusive and resilient Main Street – a place that has a thriving local economy, is distinctive and rich in character, and features welcoming spaces and diverse businesses for residents and visitors alike. Main Street America models and champions this vision through our actions and programs. Learn more about our vision and steps we are taking to shape an inclusive future.

A photo of a downtown with brick buildings, four lane street, a hilly landscape, and a blue sky with clouds.

Middlesboro, Kentucky © Danny Vaughn

Get Involved

Become a Main Street America Supporter

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Learn More