Main Spotlight: Reviving Commercial Kitchens in Charles Town
Learn how this West Virginia community redirected façade improvement funds to revive local commercial kitchens.
What Mary Means to Me
Todd Wolford, executive director of Downtown Wytheville Inc and recipient of the 2022 Mary Means Leadership Award, reflects on his Main Street career.
Main Spotlight: Thinking Like — and Being Your Own — Developer
Interested in implementing a small-scale development project in your district? Mike Scholl of Ayres Associates, who worked with Downtown Laramie Wyoming on their Empress Lofts project, lays out some of the key considerations for Main Streets working on development projects.
Laramie, WY © Mike Scholl
Introduce Yourself: Relationship-Building for Main Street Advocacy
Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations, shares a short guide on how you can reach out to your representatives and engage them in a conversation about the importance of your work.
Digital Commerce is Changing Main Streets… Could It Be For The Better?
Matt Wagner wrote an article for the OECD blog on how can small business owners can combine digital tools with the power of place to find sustainable success.
Building Community and Bridging Cultural Divides Through Pow Wow Traditions in Sheridan, Wyoming
Downtown Sheridan Association partners with the Crow Tribe to host the annual First People’s Pow Wow event during the WYO Rodeo Week.
Community Spotlight: A New Program for New Businesses
Inspired by a session at the 2022 Main Street Now Conference, Main Street Ottumwa has launched the Business Builder Academy, an entrepreneurship course to help aspiring business owners start their ventures.
Ottumwa, IA © Main Street Ottumwa
Main Spotlight: How to Build a Meaningful End-of-Year Fundraising Initiative
Creating a meaningful, place-based fundraising program is a great way to tap into the holiday giving season while centering your mission and values.
Community Spotlight: How an Iowa Community Turned Grain Bins into Art
What is more Iowan than turning grain bins into public art? Learn how Main Street Coon Rapids created these beautiful murals to celebrate their downtown.
Coon Rapids, IA © Main Street Coon Rapids
Shop Local Made Easy: A Resource Roundup for Main Street Leaders & Small Business Owners
Whether you are a seasoned American Express Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion or an entrepreneur joining this national movement for the first time, we’ve gathered a roundup of resources to support your “shop local” marketing efforts.
Photo Spotlight: City of Halloween, South Carolina
Rhe City of Conway, SC rebranded for the month of October as the City of Halloween. Check out this photo essay showing their month of spooky fun.
Conway, SC © Adam Emrick