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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Main Street America is pleased to announce the launch of a $1.8 million sub-grant program as part of our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Thriving Communities Program. This initiative will provide crucial funding support to 20 rural and Tribal communities across the country, helping them develop and implement transformative transportation and infrastructure projects.
As a recipient of $5.9 million from USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program, Main Street America is working to help communities access historic funding opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Our focus is on supporting equitable rural and Tribal commercial district development, with a particular emphasis on strengthening local capacity to compete for and execute federal infrastructure projects.
As part of the program, Main Street America is providing subgrants to each community over a two-year period, matching technical assistance providers with communities based on assessment results and providing specialized grant assistance from application to project execution. The sub-grant award amount is $90,000 per community, totaling $1.8 million in funding.
The sub-award program encourages collaboration and innovative solutions to help address community-specific needs around comprehensive transportation projects that increase mobility, reduce pollution, expand affordable transportation options, and connect communities to the resources they need to help them thrive.
“This sub-grant program represents a significant step forward in our mission to strengthen rural and Tribal communities through equitable infrastructure development,” said Erin Barnes, Main Street America President and CEO. “By providing both funding and technical assistance, we’re helping ensure these communities can successfully compete for and implement transformative transportation projects.”
Here is a full list of the participating communities and their subgrant projects:
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa | Minnesota
The Bois Forte Band will focus on building staff capacity within the Tribe, given limited staff to carry out comprehensive transportation planning efforts. The Tribe will use the funds to support staff positions centered around transportation and to contract a grant writer to find additional funds to develop safe pedestrian connections to the community ball fields and pantry.
City of Cedartown | Georgia
The city will advance the Davis Road Expansion project to support industrial expansions, allowing Cedartown to improve the economic disadvantages faced by the community. Funding will support feasibility studies, traffic evaluation, and environmental constraint assessments to position the community for DOT and other federal grant opportunities.
City of Independence | Oregon
The city will focus on environmental preparation work for a corridor development and a north/south multi-use path to enhance safety and access to the daily services located in the area. Projects include completing wetland delineation, environmental and archaeological reviews for NEPA compliance, and preparing comprehensive documentation for future funding opportunities.
City of Macomb | Illinois
Macomb will hire consultants to guide an Active Transportation Plan, grant writing support, and to launching a shared street safety campaign. All three project areas generate a great deal of pedestrian traffic and will allow the City to connect its residents to future on-street paths for safety and ease of use.
City of McAlester | Oklahoma
The city will conduct a comprehensive sidewalk infrastructure assessment and gather public input on safety, tourism, and active transportation needs. Additionally, they will engage the public in mobility planning with a pavement surface mural in the Old Town area and conduct right-of-way research and concept development to assess viability of a new trail along a rail corridor in the Old Town area.
City of Milford | Delaware
Milford will take the first step to advance planning for connectivity between Milford and the Town of Slaughter Beach.. The project includes analyzing existing conditions, conducting community engagement activities, and identifying potential route alternatives to create a safe transportation connection and regional recreational amenity..
City of Monroe | Louisiana
The city will engage the public in mobility safety planning for the Downtown Art Alley to South Second corridor area, by developing and installing murals. The overall goals of the project are to protect pedestrians utilizing the high traffic areas; further connecting the downtown corridor through street murals and giving communities a sense of ownership and connection.
City of Rexburg | Idaho
Rexburg will prepare preliminary designs and conceptual drawings for the 5th West River Connection project, including pedestrian pathways that they have been working on for five years. There is only one accessible crossing over the river within the cityThe work will enhance future RAISE grant applications and advance plans for right-of-way acquisition and environmental assessments to improve public safety response times and traffic resiliency.
City of Villisca | Iowa
The city will focus on organizational capacity building and community engagement, including staff restructuring and developing public engagement processes. Funds will support catalytic projects demonstrating the city’s commitment to community improvement.
City of York | Alabama
York will focus on corridor improvements and community aesthetics through mural implementation, support staff members to build capacity, and conduct a retail leakage analysis to support economic development initiatives in the downtown area.
County of Henry | Virginia
The county will develop an active transportation plan to pursue funding for trail and pedestrian networks. The project includes creating inspirational video and photographic content for “The Campaign to Build Trail Love,” aimed at building community support and regional awareness for active transportation development.
First Tennessee Rural Planning Organization | Tennessee
The organization will conduct studies focused on improving the environment for pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Projects include updating Mountain City’s Land Use and Transportation Policy Plan and conducting an environmental assessment for upgrading the Iron Mountain Trail to a multi-use trail.
Forest County Potawatomi Community | Wisconsin
The tribe will strengthen its transportation and urbanization capacity through the development of a Long Range Transportation Plan. The project includes completing a cost-benefit analysis for planned bike and pedestrian paths connecting Carter to Wabeno, while identifying critical planning activities for the urbanization of FCPC’s populated communities.
Mineral County | Nevada
The county will redesign Hawthorne’s Downtown District, focusing on a one mile stretch of road. The project will enhance pedestrian walkability, improve parking for local businesses, and incorporate bike lanes to promote safety for all transportation modes.
North Central Regional Planning Commission | Kansas
The commission will support five participating counties with preliminary engineering reports, enhance communications staff support, and provide fare underwriting for public transportation. The project aims to prepare communities for funding requests and demonstrate the need for expanded public transportation access.
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe | Washington
The tribe will focus on building comprehensive grant management capacity throughout the tribal government. The project aims to develop robust oversight processes for grant-related activities, ensuring effective fund utilization and clean audits.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe | North Dakota and South Dakota
The tribe will focus on capacity building throughout the tribal government to meet federal oversight and project management for previously awarded federal transportation grants.
Town of Elizabethtown | North Carolina
Through public and stakeholder engagement, the town will develop community-driven infrastructure plans focused on community center development. The project emphasizes strengthening relationships between New Town residents and town officials while supporting sustained investment in community improvements.
Trinidad Rancheria | California
The Rancheria will enhance its capacity to pursue federal grant opportunities through technical studies and long-term planning initiatives. The project focuses on building grant management capabilities, fostering community engagement in development decisions, and improving planning processes through comprehensive technical analysis.
Village of Indiantown | Florida
The village will partner with Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to prioritize projects, conduct community outreach, and secure grant funding. The project includes creating data-driven maps and information to identify patterns of population movement and travel within the village.
The Thriving Communities Program will run through May 2025, with participating communities receiving ongoing support from Main Street America and our partners, including CTL Engineering, Equiticity, the National Association of Development Organizations, Project for Public Spaces, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. Learn more here.
Music has a unifying power to bring people of all generations, backgrounds, and cultures together for creative expression. Let’s explore how accessible, family-friendly music experiences can strengthen Main Streets across America to build stronger communities, one concert at a time!
Construction projects can put a lot of stress on your downtown. From preparation to completion, Brooke Prouty at Iowa Economic Development Authority shares best practices to help your Main Street thrive during construction.
Creating real change in business ownership starts with local communities leading the way, backed by strong partnerships and collaborations.
At the heart of thriving Main Streets are vibrant public spaces that unite people of all ages and backgrounds and enrich community life. And what better way to activate public spaces than through the power of free, live music?
Middlesboro, Kentucky © Levitt Foundation
Learn how Main Streets can tap into federal resources to improve transportation infrastructure, take down barriers, and improve access to key services.
Main Street America is proud to announce the release of a new resource to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
This Boston Main Street installed an innovative street mural to highlight crosswalks and improve pedestrian safety.
These seven Main Streets have implemented innovative, exciting, and fun programs to help welcome dogs to their downtowns.
MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
The RAISE program funds surface transportation projects with local and regional impact by enhancing safety, mobility, sustainability, and economic growth.
Streetscape improvements can make a big difference for Main Streets. © Grant Harper
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Apply for federal funding to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity.
Art is a powerful tool for community change. Learn how the arts can improve community engagement, boost economic development, and connect with the Main Street Approach.
Streets play an important role in our downtown districts. Learn more about Main Street America's recent work with the Department of Transportation to promote vibrant and sustainable downtown roadways.
Learn how the Safe Streets and Roads for All program is providing grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Streetscape in Denison, Texas. © Mel Climer — Climer Design
REV Birmingham and Woodlawn United share how they work to reenergize spaces and places in Birmingham, Alabama, through civic infrastructure projects in the city’s historic commercial corridors.
Learn how this Louisiana town has used an accessibility-first approach to build a welcoming and inclusive community.
Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
Learn how the Little Five Points neighborhood of Atlanta uses this unique mural program to celebrate Valentine's Day and raise important funding for their work.
Learn how micromobility can increase access, equity, and inclusion in your Main Street with examples from local programs across the network.
This Washington Main Street is encouraging people to brave the rainy weather with their free umbrella share program.
Parking is a challenging problem for many Main Streets. We explored the arguments for and against free parking, and a method for conducting an inventory of parking in your downtown.
Miami, FL © Matt Alaniz
Learn how Bainbridge Island Downtown Association leverages their connection to the ferry to create a walkable and vibrant downtown.
Bainbridge Island, WA © Anna Carson
An innovative artistic project brings new life to the alleyways in Billings, Montana.
Billings, MT © Downtown Billings Alliance
In big cities and small towns, people face increasing danger when navigating communities on foot. As advocates for connected and walkable downtowns, Main Streets have a crucial role to play in increasing pedestrian safety.
Lansing, Michigan © Lansing 5:01
Learn how you can participate in the Thriving Communities program as a capacity builder or how you can receive support from the program.
To celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month, we explored three innovative and interesting parks-based projects and collaborations in Main Street communities.
Waterloo, Iowa, shares advice and lessons learned from their e-scooter program.
Learn how you can harness design principles and strategies to create a cooler, more welcoming downtown.
Main Street America was awarded $5.9 million to support 20 communities in the Main Streets Community of Practice through the Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program over the next two years.
The City of Leeds, AL welcomed a new downtown mural over the holidays that has brought a sense of excitement and anticipation for the continuing efforts to focus on the Leeds downtown district.
Leeds, AL © Jeremy Dove
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
Pollinator gardens are fantastic ways to increase green space, promote sustainability, and educate your community on the local environment.
Crofton, MD © Kerry Kelly
The AARP Community Challenge program gives out quick-action grants to activate public spaces. Meet some of the Main Streets awarded grants through the program this year.
Learn how these outdoor microspaces can contribute to more vibrancy in our public spaces.
Chairman Emeritus Ed McMahon explores the power of place in creating spaces people love.
Boise, ID © christiannafzger
To support Georgia Main Streets throughout the recovery process and position them for long-term sustainability, Main Street America launched the Georgia Main Street Innovation Grant Program, made possible through generous support from The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia.
Thomasville, GA © Thomasville Main Street
Intentional placemaking has had many unexpected benefits for this Alabama town.
Wetumpka, AL © Jenny Sue Stubbs
We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant.
Mount Airy Downtown, Inc., celebrated the return of their Market Street Arts and Entertainment District (MSA & ED) last weekend, as part of their pandemic recovery efforts.
Mount Airy, NC © Robbie Curlee
A vacant storefront is the perfect stage to creatively promote the available space or to showcase other businesses and events in the area.
Ripon, WI © RetailWorks, Inc
Interested in creating a StoryWalk in your downtown commercial district? Read on to learn more about installing a successful story walking trail.
In remembrance and in honor of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., over 900 streets in the United States were named after him. Many are located predominantly in African American communities.
Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
Dubbed the Blues Alley, the Ripley Main Street program plans to install murals of local pioneering Black blues artists, cutout guitars painted by local art students, and blues lyrics painted on the walls.
Ripley, MS © Ripley Main Street
Wayfinding guides people to places they seek but it also brings awareness to places they may have otherwise missed.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Main Street America partnered with OneMain Financial to create Made on Main Street.
Creating a historic or art walking tour is much more than simply a collection of pictures and descriptions.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed a family-friendly block party that celebrated the community and showcased Prosser's upcoming streetscape improvement project.
Cambridge was the first Main Street community in Maryland to install public chargers.
The Downtown Newton Development Association (North Carolina) partnered with the City of Newton on a temporary tactical urbanism project to demonstrate how their permanent streetscape improvements will benefit downtown.
Over 500 people braved the misty rain this past weekend to come and celebrate Painesville and its Made on Main Street community transformation project.
Wilson Artsy Alleys is an initiative of the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation which takes the arts to new locations in forgotten places.
In October 2017, Main Street Ottumwa collaborated with local partners, Main Street Iowa, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Better Block Foundation to stop planning, talking, and wishing, and start doing.
Kelly Tompkins of Main Street Enid shares more about the Maker Trail project and how it inspired creativity and helped people discover downtown.
The Metuchen Downtown Alliance created a cool, family-friendly public gathering space in “the worst looking spot in town” with the help of just $2,500 in Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge matching grant funds,
A collaborative effort launched between Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) and vertical farming company, Plenty, looked to blank downtown walls as a canvas for growing food, creating conversation, and activating overlooked spaces.
From walkability and transportation connectivity, to access to nature and availability of fresh food, place is inextricably linked to achieving positive health outcomes in rural America.
Beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower fountain through Main Street Paris's new Love Lock Fence.
Kasey Drummond, Glenrock Main Street Director, explains how they brought the acclaimed graffiti artist ARCY to their Main Street and explores the work he produced in three additional Wyoming communities on his summer tour.
Karen Dye, Newkirk Main Street's program manager, was inspired to “make downtown more fun and festive” with painted water meter covers after learning about the practice at a recent Main Street Now conference.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
In contrast, the Main Street Program in Laramie, Wyoming, is thriving, having successfully cultivated millions of dollars to help fill these vacant, blighted spaces with permanent structures.
In this article we’ll explore the process of planning, funding, installing, operating, and enjoying music on your Main Street.
In 2016, the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Interior Architecture (UNCG) to provide design assistance to Main Street communities.
Placemaking is a strategy that Six Corners Association has enthusiastically applied to our community development efforts because of its seamless integration with the Main Street Approach.
How one Wyoming Main Street implemented a free bike share program.
In 2015, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to engage Wisconsin Main Street organizations and farmers markets in the Metrics and Indicators for Impact – Farmers Markets (MIFI-FM) toolkit.
The local Main Street organization, Downtown Milford Inc., is trying to address these shifting demographics by creating a more inclusive sense of community.
This is the story of how a National Endowment for the Arts gathering in DC inspired the leaders of a small town in Appalachia to connect with those in Milwaukee to transform a neglected park.
Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
This article is the second in a series on corridors and the important role they play in Main Street revitalization. The previous article focused on the historic origins of corridors, corridor types, and functions that they serve in our communities.
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
While the Main Street program may not take the lead in corridor enhancements, it can be a vital partner and advocate for improvements in overall community appearance.
Street pole banners preserve the historic character of main streets while fostering community awareness and engagement.
With strong community support, the Library Foundation was able to raise over $1.2 million dollars in private donations.
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
A key goal of the Atlanta Streetcar is to attract investment to and revitalize the neighborhoods along the streetcar alignment.
