Navigating Relationships during Election Season for Main Street Success
This webinar shared tips and tools for positioning your program during election season to manage relationships and navigate change.
Main Streets can play an important civic role during and after elections. © Element5 Digital
We are one week away from a consequential national election that will determine the direction of the country. Main Street America Government Relations supports our members in navigating changing political environments and connecting with elected officials to build stronger relationships and support for district needs. Main Streets can play an important role in election season by supporting voting efforts, managing relationships, and adding their voice to policy conversations that impact their districts.
Preparing for November 5
Election season can pose hurdles for local Main Street programs, but there are many ways that Main Street leaders can proactively support civic engagement in their communities. While we encourage Main Street programs to remain nonpartisan, there are opportunities to shape the dialogue around key issues. Main Street programs could also consider supporting voter registration initiatives, candidate questionnaires, and forums. We recently hosted a webinar to help Main Streets navigate these changing environments, and the conversation revealed some important insights.
Amanda Wike of Discover Dixon in Dixon, Illinois, described her organization’s work to produce candidate forums which help fill the void of local media and encourage civil discourse. In this year’s forum, members of the public submitted questions for candidates that helped encourage a positive political environment, such as: “What’s one thing you admire about the other candidate?”
Main Street leaders Alex Padro (Shaw Main Streets, Washington, D.C.), Trey Sherwood (Laramie Main Street, Laramie, Wyoming), and Matt Wetrich (Jefferson Matters, Jefferson, Iowa) joined the conversation to share about their unique experience as both local Main Street leaders and elected officials. Each gave insight into how to approach politically delicate issues and maintain the message of Main Street, including relying on data, creating an inclusive message, and clearly communicating with city government.
After the Election
Looking for advice more after the ballots are counted? Join the Government Relations team on Wednesday, November 20, from 2:00 – 3:00 EST for After the Election: How to Manage Change and Build Relationships to explore the impacts of a post-election landscape on Main Street organizations. This program will equip attendees with the skills to examine changes in elected officials and shifts within government that may influence local Main Street initiatives. Attendees will hear from a panel of Main Street leaders about the strategies they employed in past elections to engage new leaders and ensure that Main Street remained a policy priority.
Register: After the Election: How to Manage Change and Build Relationships
Join Main Street America for a webinar exploring the impacts of a post-election landscape on Main Street organizations.
Washington, D.C. © David Knox
Emerging Federal Issues for Main Street in 2025
While the Presidential election has dominated the headlines, Capitol Hill is buzzing around what might happen in the new Administration and Congress next year. The future holds change, but also some certainty as to the issues that will be considered on Capitol Hill in 2025. There is agreement that one of the main priorities will be a tax package: legislation that will change the way you pay your federal income taxes that is also likely to include a variety of tax credits.
Main Street America is monitoring this legislation to consider ways that current — and new — tax credits could benefit Main Street districts and small businesses. This may include improvements to the federal Historic Tax Credit to ensure it works effectively for smaller projects, tax credits to support the development of upper floor housing in Main Street districts, and changes to small business deductions that can help Main Street entrepreneurs. No matter the election outcome, be prepared. 2025 will present opportunities for all Main Street programs to get involved in federal advocacy to support our communities.
Join us for Hill Day 2025
Participating in federal advocacy on behalf of Main Street can come in several forms. Whether you host your member of Congress for a tour, attend a listening event, or send a letter, it is important to engage with all elected officials.
If you are interested in taking another step in representing Main Street, join MSA’s Government Relations team and leaders from around the country in Washington, D.C., February 4 – 5 for Main Street America’s 2025 Hill Day. The two-day experience is filled with education, networking, and opportunities to make a direct connection with Members of Congress and their staff. Space is limited — registration closes December 15.
Register: Hill Day 2025
Join Main Street America in Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional leaders.
Washington, D.C. © Main Street America
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