Main Street = Economic Development
Through the cumulative success of the Main Street Approach™ and Main Street America programs on the local level, the Main Street Movement has earned a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation. Main Street America documents this impact annually through the collection of statistical information on the preservation and economic activities performed by local Main Street programs throughout the country.
© Main Street America
Since 1980, the Main Street Movement has resulted in $107.62 billion reinvested locally, 175,323 net new businesses, 782,059 net gain in jobs, 335,675 buildings rehabbed, and 35.3 million volunteer hours.
2023 Reinvestment Statistics
Dollars Reinvested*
Buildings Rehabilitated
Net Gain in Jobs
Net Gain in Businesses
Reinvestment Ratio**
Volunteer Hours
The above estimates are based on statistics gathered from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, for all designated Main Street communities nationwide. There were 1,253 programs included in this report.
*Total reinvestment in physical improvements from public & private sources.
**The Reinvestment Ratio measures the amount of new investment that occurs, on average, for every dollar a participating community spends to support the operation of its Main Street program, based on median annual program costs reported to Main Street America by its Coordinating Partners. This number is not cumulative and represents investment and organization budgets from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
2010 – 2022 Reinvestment Statistics
| Dollars Reinvested* | Buildings Rehabilitated | Net Gain in Jobs | Net Gain in Businesses | Reinvestment Ratio** | Programs Included | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 |
$6.25 billion |
10,688 |
29,174 |
7,657 |
$24.07:1 |
1,253 |
2021 |
$5.76 billion |
10,595 |
30,402 |
6,601 |
$19.34:1 |
1,198 |
2020 |
$4.14 billion |
8,488 |
14,988 |
4,356 |
$18.90:1 |
1,130 |
2019 |
$6.45 billion |
10,412 |
32,316 |
6,466 |
$90.09:1 |
1,161 |
2018 |
$4.25 billion |
8,146 |
25,301 |
5,310 |
$25.64:1 |
1,147 |
2017 |
$4.48 billion |
8,737 |
30,294 |
6,211 |
$26.43:1 |
1,064 |
2016 |
$4.65 billion |
8,042 |
27,462 |
5,616 |
$32.12:1 |
1,052 |
2015 |
$3.915 billion |
8,173 |
28,403 |
5,966 |
$26.14:1 |
1,074 |
2014 |
$3.1 billion |
8,294 |
28,340 |
5,548 |
$26.52:1 |
1,086 |
2013 |
$2.9 billion |
7,343 |
26,778 |
5,298 |
$33.28:1 |
1,048 |
2012 |
$2.1 billion |
7,254 |
24,700 |
4,732 |
$18.00:1 |
1,048 |
2011 |
$2.49 billion |
7,389 |
11,926 |
5,453 |
$18.00:1 |
1,018 |
2010 |
$2.24 billion |
5,332 |
18,990 |
5,332 |
$16.00:1 |
1,023 |
The above estimates are based on statistics gathered for each calendar year for all designated Main Street communities nationwide.
*Total reinvestment in physical improvements from public & private sources.
**The Reinvestment Ratio measures the amount of new investment that occurs, on average, for every dollar a participating community spends to support the operation of its Main Street program, based on median annual program costs reported to Main Street America by its Coordinating Partners. This number is not cumulative and represents investment and organization budgets for the calendar year.
Valley Junction — West Des Moines, Iowa © Historic Valley Junction
Join us
Main Street America members are the lifeblood of the Main Street movement. Join this powerful network to gain access to valuable information and resources that make your job easier, and connect with peers in the commercial district revitalization field.
Join Us