Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

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.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

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

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

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.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

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

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities

Here to Help

We work with communities of all sizes and backgrounds. Whether your city has a single stoplight, is a bustling neighborhood commercial corridor in a large city, or an area with no investment history, we are here to help. Once you engage with us, we listen. Where are you in your journey? What types of challenges do you face? Where have you seen success? Then we get to work.

Main Street America staff and local program staff stand in front of a mural in Baldwin City, Kansas.

Baldwin City, Kansas © Main Street America

Our Areas of Expertise

Areas of Expertise Diagram organized by the Four Points of the Main Street Approach.

Service Offerings

Getting Started

No two communities are alike — whether you just formed your first Board or have been a Main Street for years — we help you assess the place to start. Our Foundations courses serve both an introduction as well as helpful touchpoints throughout your journey.

Introduction to Main Street

Communities new to the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization will benefit from an overall introduction to Main Street and how the methodology has been successfully used in thousands of communities. Gather the community for a Town Hall meeting to learn about the program and begin the community discussion on the importance of downtown to overall economic growth for your town, city, or neighborhood district.

Why Our Main Streets Are Important

This session answers the question, Why should communities care about a healthy downtown?” It explains the national Main Street program, its Main Street Approach™, and highlights some of the most successful downtown revitalization programs in the country. Depending on time allocated, this session can also present information from the annual Main Street Trends survey, conducted by Main Street America, which shows how downtowns are faring.

Main Street 101

This workshop (or webinar series) explores each of the Main Street Approach’s Four Points, committee or task force roles and responsibilities, and typical activities within the framework of the refreshed Main Street Approach involving Transformation Strategies.

Defining Your Transformation Strategies

This two-part service helps commercial districts translate market data and community visioning into transformative, measurable change. Deliverables include a set of district-specific strategies, a targeted work plan, community survey, and an outcome measurement framework that builds on a comprehensive community vision.

New Executive Director Orientation

Gain an understanding of the Main Street program and The Approach, making the most of your Main Street America membership, staff responsibilities, leadership development, and tips for new staff.

Deeper Dives

We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create an economically vibrant Main Street district, enhance your community’s physical and visual assets, position Main Street as the heart of your community, and create a strong foundation for your program. These service offerings can be tailored to wherever you are in your revitalization journey.

Economic Vitality

We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create an economically vibrant Main Street district. When we talk about Economic Vitality, we’re talking about:

  • Building a diverse economic base
  • Catalyzing smart new investments
  • Cultivating a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem

Our team is ready to help with a range of Economic Vitality services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from how to work with developers and strategies for attracting investment to how to position your program as the go-to”
resource for local businesses as they navigate new opportunities and challenges.

Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Economic Vitality.

Design

We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to enhance your community’s physical and visual assets. When we talk about Design, we’re talking about:

  • Creating an inviting, inclusive atmosphere
  • Celebrating historic character
  • Fostering accessible, people-centered public spaces

Our team is ready to help with a range of Design services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from workshops covering the elements of people-first transportation planning to deep dives into disaster preparedness planning.

Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Design.

Promotion

We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to position your Main Street as the heart of your community. When we talk about Promotion, we’re talking about:

  • Marketing a district’s defining asset
  • Communicating unique features through storytelling
  • Supporting a buy-local experience

Our team is ready to help with a range of Promotion services whether you are just starting with Main Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from guidance on how to establish promotional campaigns for your program and projects to in-depth sessions on how to work with businesses to increase participation in your events.

Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Promotion.

Organization

We have the expertise to support you in your efforts to create a strong foundation for your program. When we talk about Organization, we’re talking about:

  • Building leadership and strong organizational capacity
  • Ensuring broad community engagement
  • Forging partnerships across sectors

Our team is ready to help with a range of Organization services whether you are just starting with Main
Street or are looking to refresh your skill set. Service offerings range from workshops on how to manage
board roles and responsibilities to deep dives into how to develop a business plan for your program that is financially sustainable.

Check out this short video to learn more about the components of Organization.

Contact us

We want to work with you! Please reach out with any questions and one of our team members will get back to you.