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
In an outdoor public seating area, people line up to place orders at a coffee shop operating from a small vintage-style travel trailer, while others enjoy their beverages while sitting at tables.

Oxford, Alabama © City of Oxford, Alabama

This May, Main Street leaders, place managers, and economic development practitioners from across the country will convene in Birmingham, Alabama, for three days of dynamic education sessions, inspiring plenaries, and countless opportunities to celebrate and connect at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference.

In addition to 130+ crash course, deep dive, and panel-style sessions, the Main Street Now 2024 agenda includes 18 incredible mobile workshops. These immersive learning experiences are packed with informative tours and tangible examples of locally-led community preservation and economic development efforts impacting Birmingham districts and surrounding communities. A few have already sold out, but opportunities to experience time-tested Main Street Approach techniques and creative solutions in action abound with the great excursions profiled below.

Conference registration is open, with early bird rates available through March 11. Learn more about these mobile workshops here. Reserve your spot on a mobile workshop during registration or add it to your existing registration by clicking the link in your confirmation email.

Check out the conference website and follow the conference’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest updates.

A large group of people of all ages walk down the center of a downtown road, toward the viewer.

Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Main Street. © The City of Oxford, Alabama

The Power of Collaboration in East Alabama
Anniston, Heflin & Oxford
Sunday, May 5, 8:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

On this tour, learn how each city has invested in unique civic infrastructure projects that have increased foot traffic and spurred significant private investment, as well as civic pride. In Heflin, discover how a rural city has become known internationally by hikers and is home to a nationally known adaptive reuse project; experience a community that has created a unique retail and entertainment oasis in a sea of big box chains in Oxford; and in Anniston, visit a district that has embraced its place in history and began to rebuild itself as the region’s most diverse and inclusive Main Street. 

A colorized postcard depicting a church made of stone with model-T cars parked in front.

Cathedral of the Advent 1918 postcard. © Edward Wolfgang Poe

Pioneer Churches of Birmingham
Birmingham
Wednesday, May 8, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Experience the beauty and diversity of the architecture of Birmingham’s Pioneer Downtown Houses of Worship on this walking tour that explores the four remaining original churches of the Magic City (and visits the site of the fifth). Hear about the founding of the churches and their history, from their original simple wooden buildings to the towering edifices of brick and stone that exist today. Please note: This walking tour does not include visits to the interiors of any sites; respectful visitation of these active places of worship is required.

Two women jog through a lush park while in background the downtown Birmingham skyline is visible.

Joggers using a trail in Birmingham’s Railroad Park. © REV Birmingham

Catalysts Through Connectivity: Railroad Park, Rotary Trail & Rickwood Field
Birmingham
Wednesday, May 8, 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Hailed as Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a unique venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with the historic Southside community and University of Alabama at Birmingham’s campus. On this tour, experience the 19-acre green space that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of The Magic City and learn about the projects that serve as economic catalysts through connectivity. Walk along the Rotary Trail while hearing about its transformation from an abandoned railroad right-of-way into a landscaped, multi-use pathway that connects residents to street-level destinations and provides venues for people to gather. Enjoy a visit to Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park in the United States.

An older woman reaches for green peppers while shopping at a mobile farmers market whose shelves are filled with fresh produce.

Civil rights icon Odessa Woolfolk shopping the LHSA Mobile Market. © LHSA

Rebuilding Neighborhoods and Making Good Health Simple
Birmingham
Monday, May 6, 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Live HealthSmart Alabama (LHSA) is a transformational movement designed to make being healthy simple for all Alabamians. With a network of more than 100 partners and trusted community relationships, LHSA strives to decrease the incidence of chronic disease and provide greater health equity across the state, and identify changes in policies, systems, and the environment that support better health. This mobile workshop will tour two LHSA demonstration zones in the city of Birmingham, Bush Hills and East Lake. Hear from LHSA advocates and leaders, explore the improved facilities, and observe the Mobile Wellness Van and the Mobile Market in action. 

A young woman dances in the center of a drum circle while behind her young people play drums.

Drum Circle in Montevallo. © Fotowerks Custom Photography

Main Streets in Shelby County
Calera, Columbiana & Montevallo
Sunday, May 5, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Columbiana, Montevallo, and Calera are back-to-back Central Alabama Main Street communities capitalizing on their access to I‑65 to attract year-round visitors and tourists. From an unexpected journey into our country’s past via American Village or the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington to a train ride at a Southern winery and whimsical creatures carved into the trees of a community a park, learn how these cities have leveraged resources, fostered partnerships, and successfully implemented adaptive reuse projects to expand and promote public art, develop entertainment districts, create festivals, and successfully blend collegiate and quant identities to build vibrant business districts offering something for everyone. (Note: This workshop does not include a trip to winery.)

Colorful paintings are displayed on easels set up on the sidewalk outside of an art gallery.

Downtown Wetumpka’s Self Taught Southern Art Gallery. © Main Street Wetumpka

Downtown Wetumpka: Natural Beauty, Resilient Spirit, and the Takeover
Wetumpka
Sunday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

In the heart of Alabama’s River Region lies a quaint, small town with a big history: Wetumpka, the City of Natural Beauty.” Since being featured on HGTV’s Home Town Takeover in 2021, as well as serving as the backdrop for several Hollywood films over the years, interest in Wetumpka has skyrocketed. As the county seat of Elmore County, this fast-growing city in the foothills of Appalachia is also recognized for its historic downtown, art galleries, natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and — most of all — its spirit. You are invited to visit Wetumpka to experience this spirit for yourself and to learn about how city officials and a team of visionaries restored their business district from dull and desolate into the vibrant heart of the community that residents, visitors, and film crews love. 

From learning about successful examples of development projects and experiencing local heritage preservation efforts to understanding small business trends and exploring historic sites, the Main Street Now 2024 mobile workshops offer something for everyone! It may be difficult to decide which to choose, but combined with amazing session offerings, you are sure to return from Birmingham feeling inspired and energized to take your Main Street efforts to the next level. Click here to preview all mobile workshops >


Registration for Main Street Now 2024 is open!
Member discounts and early bird rates are available.