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

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

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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

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

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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.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities

April 4, 2019 | Community Spotlight: Athens, Alabama

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Athens Main Street places rocking chairs painted by local artists around their downtown area to encourage visitors to linger longer and enjoy shops and restaurants. The rocking chairs are mobile and are strategically placed in certain areas around the district, such as pop-up parks and parklets. The Main Street organization hosts several events each year and utilizes these rockers as a fun way to encourage visitors to "Sit a Spell" and enjoy what their downtown has to offer.

This project enabled Athens Main Street to promote tourism and build a stronger, more united community throughout its downtown district, City of Athens, Ala. and surrounding Limestone County, Ala. Athens serves as the county seat of Limestone County and downtown Athens, with its 1869 Courthouse at the heart and spirit of its community. The rocking chairs serve as an ode to the historical residential districts surrounding the downtown Athens, AL district. Their downtown also borders Athens State University, a historical higher learning institution, which hosts the Tennessee Old Time Fiddlers Convention each October. Front porches are abundant on the homes in these historical districts. 

The funds for this project were raised through an ioby crowdfunding grant, and the organization purchased exterior grade rocking chairs and art supplies. Local students in art classes and their local artist cooperative painted the rocking chairs in themes associated with downtown, events, and festivals. A new parklet was then created and the rocking chairs were placed there. 

In 2017, the National Main Street Center partnered with the national, nonprofit crowdfunding platform ioby to offer matching funds, training, and one-on-one fundraising coaching to Main Street communities in five pilot states who were ready to implement placemaking projects. Crowdfunding on ioby allows project leaders to raise funds, cultivate a local donor base, find volunteers, and build visibility for their project, all with one-on-one support and training from ioby staff.