Who We Are
Main Street America has been helping strengthen and reenergize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts for more than 40 years.
A Newsworthy Movement
Main Street America works 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.
Our work and the expertise of our staff have been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Daily Yonder, NPR’s Morning Edition, among others.
Alberta District — Portland, Oregon © Notice Pictures/Main Street America
Inquiries
We work with media outlets across many platforms to tell the stories of people-driven efforts advancing place-based economic development and community preservation in neighborhood commercial corridors. Our multifaceted and geographically diverse team are experts in myriad topics — from the history and future of the Main Street Movement to success stories and trends in economic development, entrepreneurship, small business, research, housing, and more.
Contact
To connect with us about these or other topics related to the Main Street Movement, please reach out via email or phone.
email: communications@mainstreet.org
p: 872.264.8952
Explore our Expertise
Collective Impact
The Main Street Movement has earned a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation.
Our Team
Our team is comprised of highly talented and passionate individuals dedicated to place-based economic development.
Main Street Communities
Main Street programs lead local efforts across the country to strengthen communities through place-based economic development.
Media Mentions
How the Truist Foundation Takes a Multisector Approach to Economic Development in the South
July 11, 2024 | Wendy Paris for Inside Philanthropy
Main Street America is partnering with Living Cities and the Truist Foundation to administer the Where It Starts: Breaking Barriers to Business program, a five-year initiative supporting cross-sector leaders in accelerating wealth-building pathways for business owners of color in their communities.
Work being done to help Mount Vernon businesses
June 27, 2024 | Skagit Valley Herald
Gustavo Ustariz visits Mount Vernon, Washington, to engage local small business support organizations and small businesses to advance activities through Mount Vernon Downtown Association’s participation in Main Street America’s Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem initiative.
Main Street Now Conference Brings 2,000+ Community Leaders to Greater Birmingham
May 22, 2024 | Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
Erin Barnes speaks about the importance of co-creation in fostering Main Street districts that are inclusive and welcoming for everyone at Main Street Now 2024. Over 2000 attendees attended the conference, generating an estimated $4 million in economic impact for Greater Birmingham.
Birmingham hosts 2024 Main Street Now Conference
Mary Helmer Wirth, President/State Coordinator at Main Street Alabama — the Main Street Now 2024 co-host — shares the economic impact of the conference.
Main Street Now conference is going on and three local towns were able to show off their areas
May 6, 2024 | East Alabama Now
Main Street Now attendees speak about their experiences participating in the mobile workshop to Heflin, Oxford, and Anniston, Alabama.
Cuban restaurant owners leading rebirth effort in Quintana neighborhood
March 12, 2024 | Shari Biediger for San Antonio Report
Dionne Baux speaks about Main Street America’s partnership with the City of San Antonio for the Revitalize SA pilot program that provides leadership training and commercial corridor placemaking strategies.
Main Street Business Insights Podcast Celebrates Small Business Owners
October 16, 2023 | Matt Wagner for Daily Yonder
Expanding their growing support for small business owners, Main Street America launches a podcast to uplift America’s downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs.
Main Street America Featured on Discover America
September 9, 2023 | Robert and Mary Carey for RMWorldTravel
Hannah White joined Robert and Mary Carey to talk about the Main Street Movement and to share insights into historic downtowns and commercial corridors as fantastic destinations for unique travel experiences.
Turning Offices Into Apartments Could Help Save Downtowns, But it’s Complicated
July 24, 2023 | Erin Kenney for NPR
Patrice Frey shares how designing buildings that are more adaptable to changing needs benefit downtowns while reducing emissions.
The Math Problem Stymieing Small Businesses in Rural America
July 9, 2023 | Ruth Simon for Wall Street Journal
Featuring Amber Lambke, founder of Maine Grains, a grist mill located in downtown Skowhegan, Maine, an Accredited Main Street America community.
As People Move From Big Cities, Northwest Rural Communities See Economic Boost
June 14, 2023 | Courtney Flatt for Northwest Public Broadcasting
Matt Wagner speaks about the positive economic impacts of population growth in rural areas spurred by the pandemic.
With Real-World Research, Economic Development Capstone Students Help Virginia Communities Attract Remote Workers
May 30, 2023 | Melody Warnick for Virginia Tech News
How a remotability study conducted by Matt Wagner and Courtney Mailey, state coordinator of the Virginia Main Street Program inspired a remote work project at Virginia Tech.
Downtown Discussion: Jackie Swihart (Main Street America) | Andrea Kern (OCRA)
May 2023 | Joe LePage for #LovinLebanon Podcast
Jackie Swihart speaks about the partnership between Indiana Main Street and Main Street America, working with Heart of Lebanon, and how the Main Street Approach supports communities in identified and implementing transformation strategies.
Main Street America Program Focuses on Rural Economic Vitality
April 25, 2023 | Kristi Eaton for Daily Yonder
Matt Wagner speaks about the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) in Rural Main Streets Program and the importance of cultivating local talent already present in rural communities as a successful economic development strategy.
How a Virginia City Turned Things Around and Attracted Businesses to Its Downtown
April 24, 2023 | Steve Inskeep for NPR’s Morning Edition
River District Association — a 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner and Accredited Main Street program — is profiled for their efforts to bring renewed life to downtown Danville, Virginia.
The State of Downtown Turnarounds
March 3, 2023 | Brad Broberg for On Common Ground
Hannah White shares strategies that help ensure successful revitalization efforts and foster resilience against economic disruptions.
Corridors of Opportunity Aims to Leverage Assets, Not Just Address Needs
January 31, 2023 | Lisa Worf for WFAE
Hannah White discusses Main Street America’s partnership with the City of Charlotte, North Carolina, at the launch of the “Where it Starts” initiative aimed to support BIPOC-owned businesses and workers.
We Can’t Build Our Way To Net Zero
January 10, 2023 | Patrice Frey and Vincent Martinez for NextCity
Patrice Frey and Vincent Martinez write about the environmental benefits of reusing and retrofitting existing buildings, and advocate for the use of creative financing strategies that can support these projects.
‘Our neighborhoods are our lifeblood.’ Fort Worth to bolster Poly, Northside with national program
August 10, 2022 | KERA News
Dionne Baux shares the importance of grassroots economic development approaches with the City of Fort Worth to pilot Main Street programs in the city’s Historic Northside and Polytechnic neighborhood business corridors.