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

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

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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

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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

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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

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

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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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.

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Street pole banners preserve the historic character of main streets while fostering community awareness and engagement. These visual reminders ignite confidence in commercial districts, and new developments in the signage industry have created more ways to use banners than ever before.

Banners have a long history on the American Main Street. While municipalities continue to use them to mark seasons, celebrate holidays, and promote special events, banner production continues to evolve. New technology allows banner-makers to provide sharper resolution, brighter colors, and greater weather-resistance. Towns in colder areas can save thousands of dollars with longer-lasting banners, and improved graphic art programs allow clients tighter control over their design.  

The economic strategy, or underlying logic, of banner use is also changing. Recent demographic data gives some insight into the future of Main Street banners. As millenials gradually accrue the financial resources that eluded them during the recession, many are opting to revitalize and inhabit the urban real estate abandoned by previous generations. Although some Main Streets still have more empty store fronts than occupied ones, the push to repopulate urban centers may lead to a resurgence in commerce and, as a result, signage in those areas.

Perhaps the biggest revolution in banner usage coincides with the rise of social media. Not only can banners mark physical locations, they can also designate Wi-Fi hotspots and other virtual landmarks. Graphics can now include scannable QR codes that provide coupons or text message codes that provide updates on city events. Banners may also direct people to Twitter hashtags or Flickr and Instagram threads that allow individuals to view and add to digital archives and postings about community experiences.

Although often thought to be shorter-term investments, banners can pay off through creative repurposing. A December 2014 article in “Crain’s Chicago Business” describes how one city office is auctioning off 150 banners from a rugby match between the United States and New Zealand teams. Although their marketing purpose had been served, the office can now profit from the obsolete banners. Other Main Street programs could see similar returns by auctioning off their aging banners, framing them as gifts for donors, or donating them to local heritage museums. Any money raised could be used to fund a new set of banners.

When we speak of “Main Street America,” we speak of the shared experiences of Americans across the country. It is not surprising that we look to Main Streets as a source of cultural, as well as economic, renewal. Not only are they geographic centers.  They also provide continuity across generations by uniting an area’s traditions, values, and aspirations. As time moves forward, preservation can be a constant struggle. New banner usage and production can keep historic areas current while tapping into the iconic image of Main Street America.

Jay Jensen works for FlagandBanner.com, an Allied Member of the National Main Street Center. Previously known as Arkansas Flag and Banner, the Little Rock-based company was established in 1975 by Kerry McCoy.  Although the company’s slogan has become “more than just a flag store,” FlagandBanner still takes pride in selling the most patriotic of American symbols—the red, white and blue U.S. flag.