Fueled by remote work and one of the greatest increases in the rate of new business formation, many Main Streets, especially in smaller communities, have experienced lower vacancy rates, increased tourism, and population growth. In fact, according to the US Census Bureau, most rural counties saw gains in population because of net domestic migration, with 481 growing by 2% or more between 2020 and 2022. Over the past decade — and especially the past few years — Main Streets have experienced tremendous growth.
In 2015, Main Street America introduced a new framework to guide our work: transformation strategies. This has created a significant shift in our approach, centered on the recognition that, in a hyper competitive, consumer-driven economy, we needed to focus on strategies that highlight unique value propositions and competitive advantages. Almost a decade later, the Main Street Network has leveraged this concept in a number of ways, including leaning into food-centric economies, small-scale production, the arts, and the outdoor recreation industry. When we launched this approach, we focused on traditional metrics of success like the creation of new jobs, businesses, and tax revenue. But as some communities experienced growth in these areas, they began to struggle with unanticipated challenges, including escalating rent and property values, hyper- or over-tourism, and low vacancies resulting in declining pathways for emerging entrepreneurs.
These challenges play an important role in the implementation of transformation strategies and long-term community outcomes. As we examine the impact of our approach, we need to consider who is, and is not, benefiting from growth. How can our strategies support the needs of locals and create opportunities for all socioeconomic groups?
Main Street Skowhegan provides a leading example of how local leaders can consider equity impacts while they plan and implement transformation strategies. As they invest in their outdoor recreation economy, they are building important, much needed infrastructure and investing in strong local support systems to help mitigate the potentially negative effects of their growth. By embedding these considerations into their transformation strategy, they will support wider success and prosperity across their community.
Transforming Downtown Skowhegan
Skowhegan, Maine, has a population of 8,854 people and, like many communities in the Northeast, a historical legacy of manufacturing. Over time, many of those jobs migrated outside of the U.S., and, as a result, the local poverty rate was about 2.5% higher than U.S. average in 2022.
To reimagine downtown Skowhegan’s future, Main Street Skowhegan developed two transformation strategies that leverage emerging industries in the area: outdoor recreation focused on the Kennebeck River Gorge and future Skowhegan River Park, and a food-based strategy focused on leveraging growth and entrepreneurial spinouts from locally-owned agriculture and food production.