Economic Vitality | Main Street America

Economic Vitality is at the core of a Main Street community. It involves taking a proactive, collaborative approach to building and growing a diverse economic base through smart new investment, cultivating a robust ecosystem for small businesses, focusing on the unique assets of your community, and fostering equity and inclusion to create an environment to help build local wealth.

3 Simple Next Steps

  1. Create an Inventory — Begin with creating an inventory of the buildings and businesses that you have. Consider collecting photos and conducting regular inventory updates and maintenance. See the section below to links to inventory resources, including Building Opportunities on Main Street (BOOMS) Tracker, Main Street America’s property inventory tool designed for local Main Street leaders.
  2. Survey Your Community — Survey business owners, residents, community members, and other stakeholders to establish a baseline understanding of your downtown’s strengths, needs, and growth opportunities.
  3. Establish Partnerships — Don’t do the work alone! Identify your partners from city officers and economic development agencies to coalition groups and others, and invite them to join your district’s revitalization efforts.

Dive Deeper

Click on the links below to dive deeper and learn more about Economic Vitality principles for Main Street communities.