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We are excited to welcome Lynda Tran, Tyrone Rachal, and Mary Helmer Wirth to the Main Street America Board of Directors
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs. Women have played a critical role in the Main Street movement from the beginning, and many programs today are led by thoughtful and dedicated women who are making real change in their communities. Although they come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, each of these women are passionate about community preservation and economic revitalization, and we hope their stories inspire your work as well!
Besty Sweeny, Director of Heritage Programming – Wheeling Heritage (WV)
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Besty began her career as an architectural historian for a museum, but felt the calling of community-based work. This passion brought her to Wheeling Heritage, where she has been able to help people protect the buildings that matter to them. “My job in Wheeling has completely changed my life and allowed me to live in a way that feels so much more authentic to my community,” she said. One of her proudest achievements is the design work they provided for an 1870s rope warehouse. “What I learned from this experience is just how impactful our programming is, and how it can be the difference between historic preservation projects happening or not,” she said. She strongly encourages women to get involved in the movement: “We need more diverse voices representing the interests of community, and I find the Main Street role especially important as it acts as an example for so many.”
Vicki Davis, Director – Yukon 66 Main Street (OK)
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For the past 21 years, Vicki’s career has taken her across seven downtown communities and four states. “The Main Street concepts and philosophy clicked with my love of historic cultures, sense of community, and business background and I immediately knew that I had finally found my chosen career,” she said. She identified relationship building as the most important skill for a Main Street director. "Valuing the people of Main Street and building those relationships is key to growing leadership, meeting goals, advocating Main Street principles, and advancing the district's vision," she said.
Lindsey Dotson, Director – Charlevoix Main Street DDA (MI)
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Lindsey started in Main Street as an intern during her historic preservation graduate program. After graduating and starting work at a historic lighthouse, she found herself missing Main Street, and when she was given the chance to go back, she jumped at the opportunity. Her proudest achievement was achieving a 0% vacancy rate in her district. She strongly believes in the power of positivity, and she sees DEI as the future of the movement. “Having faith in and believing in people of all backgrounds who want to accomplish something great, whether it’s a volunteer or an entrepreneur, is the only way Main Street programs can truly demonstrate and practice equity and inclusion,” she said.
Hannah L Davis, Development Manager – Downtown Florence (SC)
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Hannah discovered Main Street in 2013 while working for an arts organization and she quickly fell in love with the concept of preservation-based economic development. “I loved the possibilities, the diversity of work and people to work with, and was excited by the potential of becoming a female change maker,” she said. She urges women with diverse backgrounds to explore the field, saying “Main Street leaders need to be versatile, patient, and engaged. The skills we have to have are as diverse as the businesses in our district and the people who visit.” She recognizes that are still many barriers put up against women in the field, but she is nevertheless optimistic. “It's a daily challenge to be taken seriously by serious traditional developers, but through demonstrating competency, leadership, and worth to my community, I've been able to pave the way for other women in my field and provide support in ways I never expected,” she said.
Kimberly Agee, Executive Director – Melbourne Main Street (FL)
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Kimberly entered Main Street through her consulting company. As she assisted them with a large fundraising event, she found herself getting more and more involved in helping craft a new mission, vision, and more, and eventually she was offered the executive director position. Six weeks later, the pandemic hit, throwing the Main Street into turmoil. She sees Melbourne Main Street’s efforts in this time as a great success, saying “I am extremely proud of the work our small team did to share real time information, help them secure local grants, PPP, Bridge Loans and other resources to keep them moving forward.” She offers this advice for women interested in a Main Street career: “we must work to not only preserve the history, but also embrace the future. Helping to blend them together is no simple task, but if you have a passion for people, your community and love to watch your work unfold before your eyes, this is the job for you!”
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Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
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Chicago, IL © Main Street America
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Florence, SC © True Light Photography
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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.
