Did you hear? There was just a big election, and many new lawmakers and other elected officials are taking on new roles, which may include decisions on funding and policies that effect your work. Main Street programs regularly interact with decision-makers in councils, legislatures, and agencies cultivating strong, bi-partisan support for downtowns and commercial districts. Whether you are planning an advocacy effort in 2023 or want to lay the groundwork for continued support, right now is a critical time to educate newly elected officials - and remind those who have been in office for a while - about the impact of Main Street.
Not sure where to start? Here are some quick tips for connecting and communicating.
Do some quick research: set aside a few moments to make a list of elected officials and review newly elected officials biographies and campaign platforms to understand any alignment with Main Street goals.
Follow and share: Sign-up for elected officials' newsletters, follow social media accounts, and attend events or town hall discussions. Send an invitation to elected officials to receive your Main Street communications.
Make an Introduction: Find contact information for recently elected officials and reach out to establish your organization. See sample outreach letter below.
Meet and greet: If you're able, conduct a short phone call or coffee meeting to establish a relationship. Use this time to ensure your legislator understands your program’s priorities and the diverse funding and technical resources that support your work.
Most importantly, relationship building with elected officials should start today. Waiting until you need to request support for funding or a specific policy may prove challenging. These initial steps are a starting point for more touchpoints and connectivity to help elevate your message when you need it most.
Dear _____:
On behalf of (organization), I would like to congratulate you on your recent election and introduce you to the Main Street program in (community). Our mission is (insert mission). We accomplish this work in partnership with (coordinating program) through the Main Street Approach, a preservation-based economic development methodology. We are making a difference in our community. In 2021:
(ADD ANY OTHER LOCAL STATS)
I am attaching (most recent annual report OR one-pager about program). I would be grateful for the opportunity to brief you on our strategy for the revitalization of (Main Street district) and the resources that best support our work.
Please let me know if you are available for a brief call on (offer several dates/times). (Alternately, you may want to include an invitation to an upcoming event hosted by your program. If so, be sure to acknowledge the elected official if they attend.)
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Organization)
(Contact Phone Number)
The Government Relations team is excited to release our new Policy Agenda outlining policy issues and recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels that impact Main Street communities.
Over 50 Main Street advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators and government leaders and share information about the Main Street movement.
The Government Relations team shares some key policy updates from 2024 and advocacy priorities for 2025.
Main Street America supports new proposed legislation to strengthen organizations that support small businesses and commercial districts.
Learn how your Main Street can support voters, manage relationships, and impact policy during and after the election.
Learn how Main Streets can tap into federal resources to improve transportation infrastructure, take down barriers, and improve access to key services.
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
Apply for federal funding to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity.
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.
Understanding the Advisory Council on Historic Preservations report on federal historic preservation standards.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Michael Jarosz, Coordinator of Government Relations, provides details on this productive day on the Hill and offers insights into the impacts that are already emerging from their advocacy efforts.
Learn how the HUD Pro Housing Program and other opportunities can help you increase affordable housing in your community.
Learn how Majd Alsaif, Celeste Constancio, and Leilani Commons supported Main Street America this summer.
Learn how you can participate in the Thriving Communities program as a capacity builder or how you can receive support from the program.
Learn how the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the Clean Communities Accelerator Fund (CCIA) will pump billions of dollars into reducing carbon emissions from the built environment in the coming years.
Main Street America is leading a coalition urging that the EPA make available the GGRF funds for adaptive reuse and location-efficient projects because of the substantial greenhouse gas emissions reduction offered by such developments.
Learn the results of our Capitol Hill Day, the first to bring Main Street leaders together around a Main Street-focused agenda.
Community Development Block Grants are powerful tools for Main Street programs. Learn more about how CDBG's can be applied to our work and how you can advocate for the program
Two years after the American Rescue Plan Act, we are celebrating successful Main Street projects and sharing lessons learned in advocating for federal funds.
Key advocacy and policy updates from the 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill.
Main Street America is proud to support the Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act
How do those amazing Main Street rehabilitation projects happen? And what policies and public support make them happen? In the Behind the Ribbon Cutting series, we look at a project or businesses from concept to opening day to break down the partnerships and funding brought to bear and recognize how we can advocate for policies and resources for revitalization across the country.
Astoria, OR © ADHDA
Main Streets and small businesses are benefiting from the strategic use of ARPA State and Local Recovery Funds through the advocacy and innovation of local leaders and decision-makers.
San Marcos, TX © Andy Heatwole
Learn more about small business needs in the pandemic.
The Brookings Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking released a new series of research briefs focused on the role that place governance organizations, like Main Street programs, play in revitalizing rural downtowns and promoting equitable rural economic and community development.
Many Main Streets serve as gateways to national parks and find a significant portion of their tourism economy tied to the well-being of the nearest national park.
After more than five years of consistent advocacy, the 20 percent historic tax credit (HTC) has survived the most significant rewrite of the tax code in more than 30 years.
In the midst of this human and cultural disaster, the Main Street program, managed by the Ellicott City Partnership, collaborated with Preservation Maryland to provide a variety of disaster relief financing that helped expedite the recovery.
As Main Street practitioners, our work is constantly impacted by decisions made by governing bodies at the local, state and federal level.
We measure the effectiveness of our last marketing campaign, weigh whether the investment in new street lights outweigh the political capital spent, and debate if the thousands of volunteer hours are worth the impacts created by a one-day event.
