Board Spotlight: Meet Main Street America’s Three New Board Members
We are excited to welcome Lynda Tran, Tyrone Rachal, and Mary Helmer Wirth to the Main Street America Board of Directors
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We are looking forward to joining you in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference, from May 6-8! Along with our co-host partners at the Main Street Alabama and Sweet Home Alabama, we are excited to convene with commercial district leaders from across the country and hold space for three days of insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and memorable experiences in The Magic City.
From time-tested Main Street Approach techniques and leading-edge initiatives rooted in perennial topics and the Main Street Now 2024 themes—Welcoming & Belonging, Connectivity Through Civic Infrastructure, and Reimagining Local Spaces & Economies—this year’s session agenda is bursting with opportunity. Keep reading for a peek at a selection of the conference’s 130+ sessions and stay tuned for the full schedule debuting in late March.
Welcoming & Belonging
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Engaging Latino Communities Through your Revitalization Efforts
The Hispanic population has accounted for 53 percent of the population growth in the United States over the last decade. Chances are that most cities and towns throughout the country have also noticed a growth in their culturally rich and tight-knit Latino communities. This session will provide an avenue to gain some tactical tips on how to engage and include Latino-owned businesses and neighbors in your revitalization efforts. From meeting attendance outreach to large-scale cultural events, you will learn how to connect and build trust with a community that is often overlooked and underserved. Presented by Ivan Gutierrez and Anette Landeros from the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Starting the DEIA Conversation
Join this facilitated discussion with Main Street America staff to learn why intentional inclusion should be a high priority for both organizations and communities alike. In this workshop, we will look at the economics and business case for inclusion and discuss steps of mobilizing your community and obtaining buy-in through the Main Street Approach™.
Connecting Communities through International Flavors and Stories
One of the best ways to learn more about your neighbors is to start a conversation about food. Stories are central to the Laramie International Flavor Festival, a volunteer-led event that features 20+ downtown restaurants offering specials inspired by international students, community members from 40+ nations, and multiple events. Now entering its third year, this week-long festival fosters community-building through authentic stories and flavors–contributing to Downtown Laramie’s economic vitality. New customers visit downtown venues to celebrate diverse international neighbors and influences. Attendees will gain tools to sculpt this model into a festival that brings unique communities together. Hosted by Ali Grossman and Deborah Ross of Laramie Main Street Alliance.
Connectivity Through Civic Infrastructure
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Empowering Rural Voices: Strategies for Inclusive Community Leadership
Join Main Street America for a concise yet impactful 30-minute session tailored for community development leaders. We'll explore practical approaches to address power dynamics, strengthen civic foundations, and foster diverse voices in your community. Discover insights on navigating difficult conversations with finesse, establishing robust civic structures, and cultivating meaningful relationships. This session is designed to provide you with actionable tools and strategies to enhance your leadership in rural settings. Hosted by Jackie Swihart of Main Street America.
Co-Creating Civic Infrastructure for Vibrant, Connected Communities
Social isolation is a growing concern across the country. The recent U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on combating the loneliness epidemic calls for the development of a comprehensive national strategy for creating more social connection. Efforts in Macon, Georgia, and Detroit, Michigan, show that Main Streets have a unique opportunity to be part of the solution. Through action-oriented planning processes, diverse teams in downtown Macon and Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood are redesigning and reprogramming the built environment to build a culture of connection. Learn how these collaborative efforts, with commercial districts at their heart, are co-creating civic infrastructure to deliver more connected, vibrant communities. Presented by Bridget Marquis of Reimagining the Civic Commons | U3 Advisors, Josh Rogers of NewTown Macon, and Caitlin Murphy of Live6 Alliance.
Civic Infrastructure of Action and Getting Stuff Done
The success of a Main Street is dependent on property owners, business owners, and elected officials believing in the potential and importance of Main Street. These people are the civic infrastructure that makes projects succeed and places flourish. But what happens when you don't have that buy-in or that personnel infrastructure in place? How do you create a Main Street that is loved, with businesses that thrive, and more access to growth for people from different parts of your demographics? This session will feature community leaders building this capacity right now, and method that every participant can take home. Hosted by Frankye Payne of Main Street America, Ilana Preuss of Recast City, and Chicago Main Street leaders.
Reimagining Local Spaces & Economies
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Partnering with the Public Library to Support Entrepreneurs
Libraries have not traditionally been viewed as key players in entrepreneurial ecosystems, yet public libraries across the U.S. and Canada provide services to local entrepreneurs every day. From free access to makerspaces, the internet, and other resources, to formal trainings and business planning support, libraries make entrepreneurship more accessible, especially for residents of color and other groups traditionally underrepresented in the small business community. This session will explore the types of services that libraries provide entrepreneurs and offer suggestions for Main Street programs and other economic development organizations that are interested in partnering with their local libraries. Hear from Katie Sullivan and Shamichael Hallman of Urban Libraries Council.
What Smartphone Location Data Means for Main Street
Mobile location data provides powerful insights into the behavior of visitors to Main Street districts: Who is visiting? When are they coming and how long are they staying? How does Main Street programming really impact visitation patterns? In this session, we will "introduce" this type of data and quickly showcase a few quick applications of the information for Main Street, focusing on its potential for understanding Main Street districts' market profiles, the demographic diversity of district visitors, and the impacts of events and other Main Street programming. Presented by Michael Powe, Ph.D. of Main Street America and Ian Ross of Placer.ai.
People-First Strategies for Place-Based Community Investment
Russell: A Place of Promise (RPOP) is a justice- based initiative focused on generating investments in the people and places of Louisville, Kentucky’s Russell neighborhood, a historically Black community just west of the central business district. RPOP’s investments are driven by a unique power-sharing model that centers resident values and priorities in defining place-based development and wealth-building initiatives, including Main Street-level business and large-scale commercial projects. This session will explore strategies and benefits of investing in people before substantial investments are made in place-based projects as a practice for building community wealth, sustainability, connection, and long-term success. Hosted by Theresa Zawacki of Russell: A Place of Promise and Cassandra Webb of Cities United and Russell: A Place of Promise.
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Registration for Main Street Now 2024 is open! Member discounts and early bird rates are available.
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Ostego, MI
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Boyne City, MI © Michigan Main Street
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© Jenny Boulware
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Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
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Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
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Washington, D.C. © Rizka
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Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
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Florence, SC © Downtown Florence Main Street Program
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Cleveland, OH © DJ Johnson
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Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
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Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
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What Mary Means to Me
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Laramie, WY © Main Street America
Main Spotlight: 30 Years of Dynamic Growth Across Illinois Main Street
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Alton, IL © Alton Main Street
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Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
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Orlando, FL © Tyla Harrington
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Chicago, IL © Main Street America
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Washington, IA © Kathy La Plante
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Florence, SC © True Light Photography
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New Research from Brookings and the National Main Street Center on the Value of Main Street Organizations
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.
Congratulations to the 2020 MSARP Recipients!
Meet the latest graduates of our certificate program for leaders in commercial district revitalization.
Main Spotlight: Developing a Toolbox to Help Manage Growth on Main Street
Georgetown has developed a strong Downtown Master Plan that helps serve as a guide-point for planning efforts in downtown
Announcing the 2020 Mary Means Leadership Award Recipient
Meet Sharon Jablonski, the Director of Morganton Main Street in Morganton, North Carolina, and the first recipient of the Mary Means Leadership Award.
Announcing the 2020 Great American Main Street Award Winners
Congratulations to these Main Street programs for their fantastic work!
Community Spotlight: Missouri Main Street Connection Leads the Iowa Community Expedition
Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) had the opportunity to take Missouri Executive Directors and other community representatives on the Iowa Community Expedition
District Spotlight: Pontiac, Michigan
In response, UrbanMain and Main Street Oakland County joined forces in March 2018 to assist Pontiac stakeholders in putting their downtown organization back on a positive track, making Pontiac the first community in Michigan to participate in the UrbanMain initiative.
2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Winning Sites
American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America announced the winners of the 2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign.
2018 Community Transformation Workshop Recap
An essential component of the Main Street America Institute, the three-day in-person workshop gives participants hands-on tools to enact revitalization projects in their communities.
A Statewide Movement Improving West Virginia Main Streets
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Community Spotlight: Main Street Hampton
Main Street Hampton hosted a Food and Friends Farm-to-Table dinner at the Rustic Brew during Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week.
Community Spotlight: Partners in Preservation 2018
From community gathering spaces to retail incubators, from small towns to big cities – this year’s projects and communities are a testament to the diversity of Main Streets across the country.
Community Spotlight: Ames, Iowa
Downtown Ames hosted a festival for the 46th annual RAGBRAI race (The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).
7 Ways To Bring Your Main Street On Screen
You don’t need to be a big-name district to make a video that goes viral; you just need to know what you’re doing.
Comcast Newsmakers: Revitalizing Downtown
Matt Wagner, National Main Street Center's Vice President of Revitalization Programs, discusses competitive advantages, incrementalism and the power of the Main Street America network
Community Spotlight: Main Street Homer, Louisiana
Main Street Homer (Homer, Louisiana) was awarded a $25,000 A Community Thrives social impact grant from Gannett/USA Today Network to create an arts center with affordable artist studios and classroom/event space.
Evolution, Acceptance, and Change: The Main Street Approach as a Catalyst for Revitalization
Nearly slated for demolition 30 years ago, downtown Cedar Falls has experienced an amazing transformation through its revitalization journey using the Main Street Approach.
Main Street Roots Run Deep in Downtown Wytheville
Since starting as Executive Director, Todd has helped the organization achieve Virginia Main Street Designation Status and national Accreditation.
Announcing the 2018 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center, Inc., announced Downtown Oregon City, Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency, and Howell Main Street as the 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners during its annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
Main Streets in Action
We rolled out four new Main Street America videos highlighting the power of the Main Street movement, Main Street Approach, economic impact of Main Street, and the incredible volunteers that make Main Street's grassroots network so effective.
Community Spotlight: Ridgefield Main Street
Ridgefield Main Street is an energetic, up-and-coming Washington Main Street program located just north of Vancouver, Washington.
Want to do something big? Start small.
A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: The Refresh from Our Communities’ Perspective
Here's a bit of background on each of the communities. Read on for the Refresh Implementation Q&A.
Announcing the 2017 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center, Inc. announced the 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) during its annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Reality of Main Street — Letter from the President
The National Main Street Center and the Brookings Institution have jointly authored a response to Mr. Hyman’s piece, The Reality of Main Street, that is featured on Brookings’ blog.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: Our Process and Lessons Learned So Far
Michigan Main Street Center was the first Coordinating Program to implement the new Main Street approach on a large scale. In this article, they share their robust process and valuable lessons.
The Reality of Main Street
There is another way for smaller communities to compete in today’s economy and we believe a strong main street strategy is at the heart of it.
The Myth of Main Street? Letter from the President
Letter from past MSA President, Patrice Frey
The Lowdown in Downtown LaBelle
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Strategic Planning Through Transformation Strategies – Saline, Michigan
Back in October 2015, we introduced the three key components of the refreshed Main Street Approach: inputs, outputs and Community Transformation Strategies.
Revitalization and Main Street Transformation
For a lucky few downtowns, greatness may happen effortlessly with a strong sense of place that seems to develop organically and simply sustain itself. For most places, success doesn’t happen by chance.
Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets: Connecting Asset-Based Economic Development to Community Transformation Strategies
This need for change results from the heavy emphasis on three components of the refreshed Main Street Approach.
The 2016 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The 2016 winners are a diverse group in geography and character, but together demonstrate the broad applicability of the Main Street Approach:
Main Street Nation Radio
The first official show under the Main Street Nation banner aired in June 2015 on WJR-760 AM Detroit.
The Path To The Future
The economic value of historic preservation on Main Street.
Refresh Demonstration Project Sites: Learning Labs for the Updated Main Street Approach
A series of demonstration projects providing the opportunity to test new strategies on the ground, learn from practitioners, and refine the approach.
Why Business Retention and Expansion Plans are Important for Downtowns
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
Wisconsin Main Street: 27 Years of People, Places and Progress
While there have been over $1.2 billion in public and private investment in Wisconsin Main Street communities over the past 27 years, what really makes it special are the people and places that have been involved.
Pop-Up Art Tour
Main Street Bartow's empty storefronts become pop-up art galleries to promote economic development.
A Walk Through Rehoboth Beach Main Street
Although a “beach town,” Rehoboth Beach is open 365 days a year, and with that has the unique challenge of catering to both year-round residents and tourists within a wide range of ages, interests and economic levels
Independent We Stand Makes Main Streets a Priority
In communities across the country, hardworking business owners and buy local advocates come together to foster an organized effort to reinvent and revitalize Main Streets and downtown districts.
Announcing the 2015 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center is pleased to announce that Cape Girardeau, Mo., Montclair Center, N.J., and Rawlins, Wyo. were selected as the 2015 Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) winners.
