Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

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People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three baristas smile while standing behind the counter of a coffee shop.

Crema Brew Coffee is a locally-owned coffee shop in New Bern, North Carolina. © Swiss Bear

The Main Street America Institute is excited to offer the Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street course! Generously sponsored by U.S. Bank, this three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to uplift small businesses in their communities. Through learning how to identify place-based assets and resources for small businesses, participants will better understand how to collaboratively build a strong community support network that centers economic vitality. Combining interactive classroom sessions and a hands-on course project, participants will gain new skills and develop a distribution-ready small business guide for the local Main Street. Keep reading and visit main​street​.org for details, or register now to secure your seat at this invaluable special course!


Member discounts and registration scholarships are available.

Details

When: September 5, 12, and 192024 

Schedule:

  • September 5: 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. CDT 
  • September 12: 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. CDT
  • September 19: 2:00p.m.- 4:00 p.m. CDT 

Format: Live online sessions – one per week for three weeks – plus independent course work, approximately three hours per week. Participants will also spend an average of three hours outside of class each week learning foundational concepts and working on the overarching course project.

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of transformation strategies within the framework of the Main Street Approach 
  • Learn market analysis techniques using data, surveys, and district investigation 
  • Practice transformation strategy development techniques through hands-on exercises using data from two communities — the host city and your own!

Instructors: This course is led by Main Street America’s Senior Manager of Education, Tasha Sams, and features instruction from expert guest speakers and Main Street America staff. Meet the instructors here >

Pricing: $275 members | $350 non-members

Who Should Participate: This course is ideal for revitalization professionals and leaders in management positions at the local, city-wide, or state level in organizations engaged in the fields of community revitalization and economic development.

Registration: Registration is open through Friday, August 30. Register >

Scholarships: As part of U.S. Bank’s sponsorship, a limited number of scholarships providing registration at a reduced rate of $100 are available to participants serving communities located within U.S. Bank markets. Communities must be located within 20 miles of a U.S. Bank location to be considered, with special priority given to participants serving districts located in the states of California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. Learn more >

Credit: Completion of the 2024 Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street course counts toward MSAI’s new certification pathway; both new and current MSAI participants can receive credit toward certification. Learn more >

Full Details: Complete course description, policies, and more are available here >

Questions? Email msai@​mainstreet.​org