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

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

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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.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

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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.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

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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!

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People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

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

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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

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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

April 7, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Repurposing Ingredients & Face Mask Selfies | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |
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Photo credit: Charles Town Now (left) and Main Street Oceanside & O'side Kitchen Collaborative (center and right)

The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage.

Repurposing Ingredients. Earlier this week, Main Street Oceanside shared the incredible initiative of their friends at O’side Kitchen Collaborative. Cooking with ingredients sourced from closed restaurants, the O’side Kitchen Collaborative has served over 10,000 meals to food insecure neighbors in just 17 days. Hoping to continue to increase that number, Main Street Oceanside asked the community to spread the word and help if possible. Our hats off to both organizations!
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Virtual Scavenger Hunt. A twist on Social Distancing Bingo, Main Street Bucksport in Bucksport, Maine, has developed a new way to get the community supporting local safely: a virtual scavenger hunt. Broken down into five categories, the 15 activities listed in this hunt have community members doing things from thanking local emergency personnel to reading a book. Participants post pictures of themselves completing the individual tasks on social media. Those that accomplish all 15 are entered into a drawing to win one of four $25 cash prizes.

Developing New Apps. Nebraska Main Street Network shared some great news late last week: two students at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln have developed an app that supports mobile ordering for restaurants and cafes. Better yet, they are offering it to local businesses for free for six months. While development for the app began back in 2018, the working product is a new app as of August 2019. UNL students Luke and Jacob are happy to provide their app—Brim—for free to small businesses. “For us, if we’re able to help a few shops stay open this time… that’s a total win for us,” said Jacob in a recent interview.

Show Us Your Face Masks. In light of the CDC’s recommendation to wear face masks, Charles Town Now in Charles Town, West Virginia, is encouraging the community to face-mask-up to win a $25 giveaway to a local business. To enter the giveaway, participants need to post selfies while wearing face masks and use #FaceMaskSelfie. Simultaneously supporting local businesses and public health? Now that’s a great initiative!

We look forward to sharing more Main Street community responses. Please fill out this form if your community has implemented an idea or approach you'd like to contribute.