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Participants at Main Street America’s 2025 Hill Day. © Main Street America
Today, Main Street America’s Government Relations team is proud to release our first-ever Policy Agenda, a landmark document outlining policy issues and recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels that impact Main Street communities. This agenda is the result of extensive engagement with hundreds of Main Street leaders, including local Main Street Programs, Coordinating Programs, and key stakeholders nationwide.
What’s in the Policy Agenda?
The Policy Agenda consists of introductory content, including the background, basics, and history of how Main Streets have long been drivers of economic and community vitality with the support of government partners. The main text of the document presents six key issue areas followed by policy recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels.
What is the purpose of this Policy Agenda?
Main Street America has a strategic vision to be a leading voice in place-based economic development and community preservation. The Policy Agenda ensures that advocacy efforts across the network reflect the priorities of the Main Street movement. The agenda can be used by local Main Street Programs and Coordinating Programs as well as local, state, and federal government leaders to support the needs of Main Street communities. Main Street America will use this agenda to guide our work advocating for Main Street.
What Does this Mean in a Time of Change?
A recurring theme in our agenda development was the need for effective governance, which relies on collaboration between the public and private sectors and between different levels of government. We heard from leaders across the network that our work is only as strong as the governance systems that surround it. A swiftly shifting federal governance system — with changes to funding sources, economic conditions, and agency staffing — affects the efforts of local Main Street Programs. While most Main Street programs are not directly funded by federal dollars, many deploy federal and state grants to support their local revitalization projects.
These changes happening at the federal level have not changed our federal policy priorities. Several recommendations of this Policy Agenda have emerged as critical issues in the initial months of the Trump Administration, including funding and staffing for historic preservation, threats to the Community Development Block Grant Program and the CDFI Fund, and changes to Department of Transportation priorities. Main Street America will continue to advocate for key programs and policies that support our work.
How Can You Advocate for Main Street?
- Advocacy is essential at all levels—local, state, and federal — to support the goals of the Main Street movement. In annual surveys, Main Street leaders indicate that funding is a top priority, and local government is the largest contributor to local program budgets. There are many ways you can contribute to advocating for the future of the movement.
- Get involved—If your Main Street program is facing policy challenges, consider how you can organize to address them. Use the Policy Agenda as a resource.
- Be a visible advocate—At the 2025 Main Street Now Conference, connect with fellow supporters. Look for attendees wearing yellow advocacy buttons to discuss advocacy issues.
- Join the conversation—Attend our upcoming conference session on local budgets and policy solutions: Making the Case for Your Program’s Budget on Monday, April 7.
Dive Into the Policy Agenda
Main Streets are the heart of our communities, but they need strong policies and committed advocates to thrive. Read the full 2025 – 26 Policy Agenda here >
If you have feedback or questions, email advocacy@mainstreet.org and look for our Government Relations Team at the 2025 Main Street Now Conference.
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