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Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
Trabajamos en colaboración con miles de socios locales y líderes de base de todo el país que comparten nuestro compromiso de fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías resistentes y mejorar la calidad de vida.
Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
Formadas por pueblos pequeños, comunidades de tamaño medio y distritos comerciales urbanos, las miles de organizaciones, personas, voluntarios y líderes locales que componen Main Street America™ representan la amplia diversidad que hace que este país sea tan singular.
Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America
¿Busca estrategias y herramientas que le ayuden en su trabajo? Sumérgete en el Centro de Recursos de Main Street y explora una amplia gama de recursos, entre los que se incluyen nuestro extenso Centro de Conocimientos, oportunidades de desarrollo profesional, ofertas de servicios sobre el terreno, apoyo a la promoción y mucho más.
Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
Su ventanilla única para conocer las últimas historias, noticias, eventos y oportunidades -incluidas subvenciones y programas de financiación- en Main Street.
Kendall Whittier - Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Únase a nosotros en nuestro trabajo para fomentar la prosperidad compartida, crear economías fuertes y mejorar la calidad de vida en los centros y distritos comerciales de los barrios.
Celebrating all things canine at the Dog Days of Summer in Cardiff, California. © Cardiff 101 Main Street
If you’ve been to a Main Street recently, there is a good chance that you saw a dog — out for a walk, playing in the park, or curled up near a café table. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 44.6% of US households own a dog, and many of them are bringing their canine companion downtown. From design and infrastructure to promotions and partnerships, there are lots of ways we can make our Main Streets more inviting for dogs and dog owners. Here are six examples from seven Main Streets who welcome and celebrate their local furry friends.
Cardiff goes all out celebrating their four-legged friends with their Dog Days of Summer event. The annual event features a variety of dog-related vendors, rescue groups, pet adoption agencies, an agility course, dog contests, live music, food trucks, and more. People who arrive without a canine companion can head to Rescue Row, where they will find adoptable dogs from local rescue groups, as well as microchipping and health services from the San Diego Humane Society.
The event attracts around 7,000 attendees each year, making it the largest outdoor dog festival in Southern California. More than 70% of Cardiff businesses and residents participate in the event as vendors, sponsors, opportunity drawing supporters, volunteers, or attendees — impressive outcomes for the community of 12,000 residents.
A Starkville pup hits the “campaign trail.” © Starkville Main Street
Pet Mayor Buster Camp and Starkville Main Street present a donation to the humane society. © Starkville Main Street
Starkville invites their pets to participate in building a better downtown with their Pet Mayor program. This program helps build excitement while also providing an important source of funding for the Main Street organization. To select a Pet Mayor, pet owners nominate their cats or dogs to run for election. Nominated pets hit the ‘campaign trail’ and gather donations to earn their votes. The winning Pet Mayor serves as a downtown ambassador for two years — Starkville’s first Pet Mayor is Buster Camp, a long-beloved character in Starkville’s Cotton District.
“The project required minimal effort, but generated outstanding revenue,” said Paige Watson, Main Street Director at Starkville Main Street. In 2023, it generated $14,000 in just three weeks! These funds go towards maintenance and outdoor design projects, as well as a donation to the local humane society.”
Dogs love shopping locally in Warrensburg, Missouri. © Warrensburg Main Street
The phrase “man’s best friend” was first said in Warrensburg, Missouri, and Warrensburg Main Street is committed to making that a reality. Their downtown is full of dog-friendly design, including door clings identifying dog-friendly businesses, branded water bowls, and doggie bag stations. Their Design committee also has a dog-friendly downtown workplan. “Having an active workplan for this allows us to stay alert on logistics of having a dog-friendly downtown and keeps us budgeting for the next best thing,” said Jamie DeBacker, Executive Director at Warrensburg Main Street.
Warrensburg also uses special promotions to welcome and celebrate their four-legged friends. At their farmer’s market, they host two annual Dog Days where they invite a dog bakery, pet groomer, and animal shelter, as well as highlighting dog-themed items from vendors and offering a photo area and free dog toys made from recycled bags. They also host a patriotic Bike and Pet Parade where pet owners dress up their pets for the 4th of July.
Spectators cheer for a competitor in the K‑9 Keg Pull runs across the snow. © Deadwood History
For the past seven years, the K‑9 Keg Pull has drawn crowds and canines to Deadwood’s Main Street for an unforgettable event. This unique race — envisioned by Sarah Kryger, Deadwood Chamber Events Coordinator, and Bobby Rock, Deadwood Outlaw Square Manager — capitalizes on the excitement from the nearby annual snocross race to bring excitement and energy to downtown Deadwood. The event boasts high attendance, with an estimated 200 to 400 spectators braving every kind of winter weather to cheer on the canine racers as they drag empty kegs and smaller containers across a snowy track. Deadwood Main Street businesses join in the festivities by making their establishments pup-friendly, offering water and treats to the four-legged participants.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the Deadwood Main Street Initiative and Twin City Animal Shelter. With affordable registration of just $15 per racer, the event raises around $800 annually. Six weight classes ensure that every dog, from the tiniest terrier to the mightiest mastiff, has a chance to shine. Each year, around 40 to 70 enthusiastic canines of all sizes compete.
Downtown Franklin Association provides resources to help local businesses welcome pets. © Kris Rae
In 2017, Downtown Franklin Association launched their “Pets Welcome” business program in partnership with Better Cities for Pets. The program encourages downtown business owners to offer pet-friendly options. All businesses participating in the “Pets Welcome” business pilot received a toolkit of information and materials to make their businesses more welcoming to pets and pet parents. They also received a code of conduct for how pets should behave in stores, pet behavior management tips, and more. The pilot was a success, and Downtown Franklin Association continues to use these strategies to foster a pet-friendly downtown. As a result of this program, pet owners feel more comfortable bringing their furry friends downtown and business owners have the tools and knowledge to welcome pets in a way that is safe and comfortable.
Better Cities for Pets is a program from Mars Petcare that aims to create places for dogs and cats to live, visit, and play. Franklin was the first community to work with this program, and their success has inspired other cities to join, including Laguna Niguel, California, and St. Petersburg, Florida.
A member of the Macon Hype Hounds sits for a photo. © NewTown Macon
An Emporia Hype Hound poses with their owner. © Emporia Main Street
NewTown Macon created the Hype Hounds program, which invited local dogs to become downtown ambassadors who help promote Macon as a dog-friendly destination. Dogs (and their owners) visit dog-friendly businesses, restaurants, and bars, and pose to take photos for social media while wearing their Hype Hound bandanas.
“This initiative brings together dog lovers and their adorable pups to showcase the multitude of dog-friendly businesses, restaurants, and bars that add to the magic of Downtown Macon,” said Hailie Poppell Director of Marketing at NewTown Macon. This program also drives engagement on NewTown Macon’s social media channels. They have seen a 7% increase in the use of #downtownmacon since the program started.
Inspired by NewTown Macon’s session at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference, Emporia Main Street has developed their own Hype Hounds program. “We contacted Macon after the conference, talked through Hype Team specifics, and then implemented the Hype Team (human ambassadors) and Hype Hounds,” said Emporia Main Street Executive Director Casey Woods.
Beyond the Hype Hounds, Emporia Main Street has implemented water stations for dogs, utilized their Fabrication Lab to generate sponsored dog waste bag boxes downtown, and created a “pet-friendly” window cling for local businesses that welcome furry friends.
Welcoming pets is a great way to bring people downtown. From exciting events to business and design practices, these Main Streets provide strong examples of the strategies you can use to create a pet-friendly community in your district.
At the heart of thriving Main Streets are vibrant public spaces that unite people of all ages and backgrounds and enrich community life. And what better way to activate public spaces than through the power of free, live music?
Middlesboro, Kentucky © Levitt Foundation
Learn how Main Streets can tap into federal resources to improve transportation infrastructure, take down barriers, and improve access to key services.
Main Street America is proud to announce the release of a new resource to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
This Boston Main Street installed an innovative street mural to highlight crosswalks and improve pedestrian safety.
MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
The RAISE program funds surface transportation projects with local and regional impact by enhancing safety, mobility, sustainability, and economic growth.
Streetscape improvements can make a big difference for Main Streets. © Grant Harper
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Apply for federal funding to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation infrastructure that creates barriers to community connectivity.
Art is a powerful tool for community change. Learn how the arts can improve community engagement, boost economic development, and connect with the Main Street Approach.
Streets play an important role in our downtown districts. Learn more about Main Street America's recent work with the Department of Transportation to promote vibrant and sustainable downtown roadways.
Learn how the Safe Streets and Roads for All program is providing grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Streetscape in Denison, Texas. © Mel Climer — Climer Design
REV Birmingham y Woodlawn United comparten cómo trabajan para revitalizar espacios y lugares en Birmingham (Alabama) mediante proyectos de infraestructuras cívicas en los históricos corredores comerciales de la ciudad.
Descubra cómo esta ciudad de Luisiana ha dado prioridad a la accesibilidad para construir una comunidad acogedora e integradora.
Centro de Ruston, Luisiana. Fotografía de Henry McCoy.
Descubra cómo el barrio Little Five Points de Atlanta utiliza este singular programa de murales para celebrar San Valentín y recaudar importantes fondos para su obra.
Aprenda cómo la micromovilidad puede aumentar el acceso, la equidad y la inclusión en su calle principal con ejemplos de programas locales de toda la red.
Washington Main Street anima a la gente a enfrentarse al tiempo lluvioso con su programa gratuito de reparto de paraguas.
El aparcamiento es un problema difícil para muchas calles principales. Analizamos los argumentos a favor y en contra del aparcamiento gratuito, así como un método para realizar un inventario del aparcamiento en el centro de la ciudad.
Miami, FL © Matt Alaniz
Descubra cómo la Asociación del Centro de Bainbridge Island aprovecha su conexión con el ferry para crear un centro de la ciudad transitable y lleno de vida.
Bainbridge Island, WA © Anna Carson
Un innovador proyecto artístico da nueva vida a los callejones de Billings, Montana.
Billings, MT © Alianza Downtown Billings
Tanto en las grandes ciudades como en los pueblos pequeños, la gente se enfrenta a peligros cada vez mayores cuando se desplaza a pie. Como defensoras de unos centros urbanos conectados y transitables, las calles principales desempeñan un papel crucial en el aumento de la seguridad de los peatones.
Lansing, Michigan © Lansing 5:01
Infórmese sobre cómo puede participar en el programa Comunidades prósperas como capacitador o cómo puede recibir apoyo del programa.
Para celebrar el Mes Nacional de los Parques y las Actividades Recreativas, exploramos tres proyectos y colaboraciones innovadores e interesantes basados en los parques de las comunidades de Main Street.
Waterloo, Iowa, comparte consejos y lecciones aprendidas de su programa de e-scooter.
Aprenda a aprovechar los principios y estrategias de diseño para crear un centro de la ciudad más fresco y acogedor.
Main Street America ha recibido 5,9 millones de dólares para apoyar a 20 comunidades de la Main Streets Community of Practice a través del Thriving Communities Program del Departamento de Transporte durante los próximos dos años.
La ciudad de Leeds, AL dio la bienvenida a un nuevo mural en el centro de la ciudad durante las vacaciones que ha traído un sentido de entusiasmo y anticipación para los esfuerzos continuos para centrarse en el distrito del centro de Leeds.
Leeds, AL © Jeremy Dove
¿Qué hay más típico de Iowa que convertir los graneros en arte público? Descubre cómo Main Street Coon Rapids creó estos hermosos murales para celebrar el centro de la ciudad.
Coon Rapids, IA © Main Street Coon Rapids
Los jardines de polinizadores son una forma fantástica de aumentar los espacios verdes, fomentar la sostenibilidad y educar a la comunidad sobre el medio ambiente local.
El programa AARP Community Challenge concede subvenciones de acción rápida para activar espacios públicos. Conoce algunas de las Main Streets subvencionadas este año a través del programa.
Metuchen, NJ © Alianza Downtown Metuchen
Learn how these outdoor microspaces can contribute to more vibrancy in our public spaces.
Chairman Emeritus Ed McMahon explores the power of place in creating spaces people love.
Boise, ID © christiannafzger
To support Georgia Main Streets throughout the recovery process and position them for long-term sustainability, Main Street America launched the Georgia Main Street Innovation Grant Program, made possible through generous support from The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia.
Thomasville, GA © Thomasville Main Street
Intentional placemaking has had many unexpected benefits for this Alabama town.
Wetumpka, AL © Jenny Sue Stubbs
We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant.
Hopewell, NM © Hopewell Downtown Partnership
Mount Airy Downtown, Inc., celebrated the return of their Market Street Arts and Entertainment District (MSA & ED) last weekend, as part of their pandemic recovery efforts.
Mount Airy, NC © Robbie Curlee
A vacant storefront is the perfect stage to creatively promote the available space or to showcase other businesses and events in the area.
Interested in creating a StoryWalk in your downtown commercial district? Read on to learn more about installing a successful story walking trail.
In remembrance and in honor of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., over 900 streets in the United States were named after him. Many are located predominantly in African American communities.
Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
Dubbed the Blues Alley, the Ripley Main Street program plans to install murals of local pioneering Black blues artists, cutout guitars painted by local art students, and blues lyrics painted on the walls.
Ripley, MS © Ripley Main Street
Wayfinding guides people to places they seek but it also brings awareness to places they may have otherwise missed.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
Main Street America partnered with OneMain Financial to create Made on Main Street.
Creating a historic or art walking tour is much more than simply a collection of pictures and descriptions.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed a family-friendly block party that celebrated the community and showcased Prosser's upcoming streetscape improvement project.
Cambridge was the first Main Street community in Maryland to install public chargers.
The Downtown Newton Development Association (North Carolina) partnered with the City of Newton on a temporary tactical urbanism project to demonstrate how their permanent streetscape improvements will benefit downtown.
Over 500 people braved the misty rain this past weekend to come and celebrate Painesville and its Made on Main Street community transformation project.
Wilson Artsy Alleys is an initiative of the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation which takes the arts to new locations in forgotten places.
In October 2017, Main Street Ottumwa collaborated with local partners, Main Street Iowa, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Better Block Foundation to stop planning, talking, and wishing, and start doing.
Kelly Tompkins of Main Street Enid shares more about the Maker Trail project and how it inspired creativity and helped people discover downtown.
The Metuchen Downtown Alliance created a cool, family-friendly public gathering space in “the worst looking spot in town” with the help of just $2,500 in Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge matching grant funds,
A collaborative effort launched between Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) and vertical farming company, Plenty, looked to blank downtown walls as a canvas for growing food, creating conversation, and activating overlooked spaces.
From walkability and transportation connectivity, to access to nature and availability of fresh food, place is inextricably linked to achieving positive health outcomes in rural America.
Beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower fountain through Main Street Paris's new Love Lock Fence.
Kasey Drummond, Glenrock Main Street Director, explains how they brought the acclaimed graffiti artist ARCY to their Main Street and explores the work he produced in three additional Wyoming communities on his summer tour.
Karen Dye, Newkirk Main Street's program manager, was inspired to “make downtown more fun and festive” with painted water meter covers after learning about the practice at a recent Main Street Now conference.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
In contrast, the Main Street Program in Laramie, Wyoming, is thriving, having successfully cultivated millions of dollars to help fill these vacant, blighted spaces with permanent structures.
In this article we’ll explore the process of planning, funding, installing, operating, and enjoying music on your Main Street.
In 2016, the North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Department of Interior Architecture (UNCG) to provide design assistance to Main Street communities.
Placemaking is a strategy that Six Corners Association has enthusiastically applied to our community development efforts because of its seamless integration with the Main Street Approach.
How one Wyoming Main Street implemented a free bike share program.
In 2015, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with the University of Wisconsin–Madison to engage Wisconsin Main Street organizations and farmers markets in the Metrics and Indicators for Impact – Farmers Markets (MIFI-FM) toolkit.
La organización local Main Street, Downtown Milford Inc., está intentando hacer frente a estos cambios demográficos creando un sentimiento de comunidad más integrador.
Esta es la historia de cómo una reunión de la Fundación Nacional de las Artes en Washington inspiró a los líderes de una pequeña ciudad de los Apalaches a conectar con los de Milwaukee para transformar un parque abandonado.
Las comunidades de Main Street de todo el país no son ajenas a la búsqueda de estrategias creativas para resolver sus problemas más acuciantes: edificios vacíos, comercialización del centro, refuerzo del comercio minorista, por nombrar algunos.
Este artículo es el segundo de una serie sobre los corredores y el importante papel que desempeñan en la revitalización de Main Street. El artículo anterior se centraba en los orígenes históricos de los corredores, los tipos de corredores y las funciones que desempeñan en nuestras comunidades.
La apariencia de las fachadas es un aspecto crítico del atractivo estético general y del carácter único del centro de la ciudad.
Aunque el programa Main Street no tome la iniciativa en la mejora de los corredores, puede ser un socio vital y un defensor de las mejoras en el aspecto general de la comunidad.
Las banderolas en los postes de las calles preservan el carácter histórico de las calles principales a la vez que fomentan la concienciación y el compromiso de la comunidad.
Con el firme apoyo de la comunidad, la Fundación de la Biblioteca consiguió recaudar más de 1,2 millones de dólares en donaciones privadas.
Para que un centro de ciudad funcione bien hacen falta muchos carteles, pero no todas las comunidades saben cómo es un buen sistema de señalización ni lo decisivo que puede ser para crear un centro de ciudad de éxito.
Uno de los principales objetivos del tranvía de Atlanta es atraer inversiones y revitalizar los barrios situados a lo largo de su trazado.
Atlanta, Georgia © Central Atlanta Progress
