Join us for three days of learning, connecting, and celebrating at Main Street Now 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 7 – 9.
Secure Your Spot!Main Street leaders and advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., last month. © Main Street America
At the start of February, Main Street America hosted our third annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., an event that continues to grow in both reach and impact. This year, more than 50 Main Street leaders, alongside over a dozen dedicated advocates, convened in the nation’s capital to engage in key discussions with Congressional offices and federal agency representatives. This event underscored the influence and importance of Main Street revitalization efforts across the country.
The rise in participation at this year’s Hill Day highlights the increasing acknowledgment of Main Street’s essential contributions to community vitality and economic resilience and the importance of advocacy. Participants came from 18 states and the District of Columbia — a nearly 50% increase from last year. Over the course of the event, approximately 120 meetings took place with members of Congress, marking a remarkable 75% jump from 2024. This increase in meetings demonstrates the strengthening advocacy efforts of Main Street America and its stakeholders.
This year’s event introduced a dedicated education session the afternoon before the Hill meetings to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of key policy priorities, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to effectively advocate for Main Street initiatives. Following this informative session, a networking happy hour at the historic Patterson Mansion in the DuPont Circle Main Street district offered a unique and valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with representatives from prominent organizations such as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), Transportation for America (T4A), KABOOM!, and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). These connections serve as a testament to the broad coalition supporting Main Street revitalization efforts.
Advocates participated in a training on the day before the Hill meetings. © Main Street America
During their meetings, Main Street advocates focused on two core policy areas critical to the success and sustainability of Main Street communities: building local program capacity and expanding housing opportunities in Main Street districts. These advocacy efforts sought to ensure that federal support aligns with the real needs of communities working to preserve and revitalize their commercial districts.
Building Main Street Capacity
Advocates called for support of the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program (H.R. 10361 – 118th Congress), which would provide vital Economic Development Administration (EDA) resources to strengthen local business district organizations like Main Streets.
They urged Congress to fund the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at $4.2 billion in FY26, recognizing its critical role in supporting the operations of Main Street programs and enabling community-driven projects.
Additionally, they highlighted the necessity of securing $225 million in funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in FY26, which plays a key role in preserving and rehabilitating historic commercial corridors vital to Main Street revitalization.
Housing on Main Street
Recognizing the growing housing crisis, advocates emphasized the need to improve the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) through legislative action. They specifically noted the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R. 1785/S. 639– 118th Congress) and the Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (S. 5607 – 118th Congress) to make small-scale Main Street rehabilitation projects more feasible.
They also voiced strong support for the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act (H.R. 9002/S. 4693), aimed at incentivizing the adaptive reuse of vacant office spaces for housing.
Lastly, they pushed for increased funding for HUD’s HOPE VI Main Street Grant program, a crucial resource under the Choice Neighborhoods program that supports housing development in rural communities.
The Nevada team met with Congressman Mark Amodei. © Main Street America
The Pennsylvania team met with staff in Congresswoman Madeleine Dean’s office. © Main Street America
Hill Day took place in a quickly evolving federal landscape, as a wave of executive orders, staff layoffs, and structural changes have raised questions about program stability, funding streams, and administrative capacity. Federal funding for Main Street remains critical, and while Main Street programs are not dependent on a single federal agency or program, these resources significantly advance our work. Moreover, federal staff play an essential role in supporting Main Street initiatives in communities nationwide. Main Street America is committed to good governance and values efficient government operation. Recent federal shifts raise concerns as unclear expectations and abrupt shifts in policy can result in disruptions at the state and local levels, ultimately affecting local budgets and economic stability.
A key example of this is the anticipated cuts within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including anticipated staff cuts of 84% within the Community Planning and Development (CPD) branch that oversees the allocation, compliance, and monitoring of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. These funds support essential housing, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives in cities, counties, and states across the country. While the full impact of these layoffs remains uncertain, we encourage Main Street programs to engage with their local housing and community development departments to stay informed about any potential disruptions.
Similar disruptions are occurring across multiple federal programs that support Main Streets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has laid off approximately 3,400 employees — about 10% of its workforce — including significant cuts within the Forest Service. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reduced its workforce by 720 employees (20%). The Department of the Interior has also faced approximately 2,600 layoffs agency-wide, including 1,000 from the National Park Service (NPS), which may impact historic preservation programs and heritage tourism — key economic drivers for many Main Streets. The effects of these cuts remain unclear, and the courts are arbitrating on many actions, such as the termination order for probationary federal employees. Nonetheless, layoffs and structural changes to federal agencies could have real implications for Main Street programs with established federal partnerships for technical assistance, funding administration, and program oversight. As these changes unfold, we encourage Main Street leaders to stay engaged with their federal and state agency contacts to understand potential impacts and advocate for continued program support.
Left to right: Blake Fisher (California Main Street), Kelly Humrichouser (Main Street America), Brooke Fox (California Main Street), Toni Symonds (Advocate), and Erin Barnes (Main Street America). © Main Street America
Across the board, meetings with Congressional offices were highly productive, reinforcing long-established relationships while also laying the groundwork for new partnerships. The growing recognition of Main Street programs as drivers of economic revitalization and community development was evident in the positive reception from policymakers.
Main Street America extends deep gratitude to all those who participated in Hill Day and represented their communities with passion and expertise. Attendees’ first-hand experiences and advocacy efforts are instrumental in shaping policies that will continue to empower Main Street districts across the nation.
As we look ahead, Main Street America remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for policies that support the growth and sustainability of local economies. We are eager to build upon the successes of this year’s Hill Day and continue fostering collaborative relationships that drive meaningful change in communities nationwide.
Downtown Decorations, a Main Street America Allied Member, is this quarter’s Main Spotlight advertiser. For more information about what they do to support Main Street organizations, click here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
