Join us for three days of learning, connecting, and celebrating at Main Street Now 2025 in Philadelphia, from April 7 – 9.
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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.
Protesters arrested in Danville, Virginia, on June 10, 1963. © Library of Virginia
In 1963, Danville, Virginia, was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement. Their involvement began in May with public demonstrations to protest the segregation of government and public facilities. This peaceful action was met with violence and intimidation from local authorities. Martin Luther King Jr. showed key support for the local movement, but the protests were forced to stop before they could meet their goals. Segregation continued in the city until the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1965.
Today, Danville’s Main Street organization — the River District Association—is committed to telling its civil rights story and uplifting Danville’s Black community. Marta Olmos, Associate Manager for Content and Communications at Main Street America, spoke with Diana Schwartz, CEO of the River District Association (RDA), about Main Streets’ role in sharing difficult histories and building more equitable communities.
Our community was deeply ingrained in the movement to a degree that many are likely unaware of. Dr. King was in Danville many times and had offices here during the Civil Rights Movement, and references to our community can be found in his writings. The events that took place here are a core part of our history, and recognizing history is a critical factor in our mission to improve our quality of life and quality of place. Our community does not shy away from difficult topics.
RDA shares Danville’s history through our blog stories and social media, as well as by coordinating and conducting tours. RDA has information about specific locations and events from the Civil Rights Movement in the River District on our website. We have also put together self-guided walking tours to discover not only the events in the Civil Rights Movement but also to recognize the history of the Black Wall Street district on North Union Street. The Former First State Bank (now Movement Bank) started on North Union Street and was instrumental in the civil rights activities in Danville. RDA offices are across the street from this property, keeping history at the forefront of our daily work. We also work with Karice Luck-Brimmer at Our History Matters to provide trolley tours several times a year at no cost to our residents (we absorb the costs).
First and foremost, we must recognize the wrongs that took place and be accountable for past actions. Transparency is key to moving forward; you must acknowledge challenges to address them. One example in Danville — and throughout the South — is the removal of Confederate flags and statues. While there are no flags displayed on public property thanks to the actions of our City Council in 2016, we still have a few individuals who fly the flag on private property within view of residents and visitors to our region. This is certainly not reflective of the attitude of the great majority of our residents but does serve as a reminder that our past should always inform the work of the present.
For some residents — especially younger generations — it could seem like these things happened “long ago,” but there are still many people living in our community who experienced these events first-hand and can give eyewitness testimony, ensuring that the telling of our history is truthful and relevant.
Ribbon cutting at Ma’s Cakes in Danville. © River District Association
While RDA continues to operate a traditional Main Street program within our downtown Historic River District, we also realize that many other neighborhoods and historic districts in the city deserve to be preserved and to benefit from reinvestment programs. As such, we have begun to work outside our district in an adjacent commercial corridor, the North Main District. This work has ranged from providing holiday décor and branding to working with the Urban Land Institute on small area planning, advocating for the city to revitalize buildings, and supporting grant programs and ribbon cuttings for North Main District Businesses. Local youth are also engaged in planning for the future of the district. The work can be messy, and the way forward is not always clear-cut, but it is one way for our organization to be of the highest and best use to the community.
As part of this work, we have also created the True North Speaker Series, which brings public recognition to Black female leaders in our community who have links to the North Main district. This is one avenue to overcome perceptions and biases that may exist for residents who grew up there or live in the district; instead of hoping or waiting for people to come to the North Main District, video and television bring these stories to the community in a very proactive and accessible way.
We also consider history, access, culture, and traditions when designing promotions, events, advertising, communications, programs, and services to ensure that we are a welcoming and thriving place where everyone has agency.
You cannot expect people to buy into the future if you are unwilling to recognize the past.
We infuse history into our work in many ways, from participating in Virginia Main Street storytelling initiatives to our entry and winning campaign for the 2018 Vote Your Main Street competition to receive grant funding to revitalize a historic building in the former Black Wall Street district (where our offices are currently housed). We also ensure that our board reflects our community and that new programs are built thoughtfully to overcome barriers to participation.
Ultimately, Main Street organizations need to recognize the positive and negative impacts their work has — not only downtown but across the entire community. We were vocal from the very start of our downtown redevelopment that while the work of revitalization started downtown, it would not end there. I am very proud that our organization keeps that commitment by expanding our work into additional districts. Only by working together will we find even more ways to build bridges to connection, communication, and opportunities for everyone who wants to live, work, play, and invest in the region.
Main Street America is pleased to announce the launch of a $1.8 million sub-grant program as part of our partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Thriving Communities Program.
Beloit, Kansas © Shane Hampton
Erin Barnes spoke to Frances Jo Hamilton at Heritage Ohio about the importance of stepping up for our communities.
It is important to make sure that the growth of your community does not result in displacement or marginalization. Putting equity at the core of your transformation strategy helps you work towards measures of success that benefit everyone.
Creating real change in business ownership starts with local communities leading the way, backed by strong partnerships and collaborations.
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.
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.
Learn how Pikeville Pride partners with Pikeville Main Street to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community in their rural Kentucky town.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month! We collected ideas and resources to help you explore Jewish American history on your community and work toward a more inclusive Main Street.
At Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, Washington, Native Hawaiians played a critical role in the success of the Hudson Bay Company. Today, Vancouver’s Hawaiian history and heritage plays a crucial role in efforts to reenergize the city’s historic downtown.
Urban Impact Inc., harnesses strategic investments and collaborative efforts to foster a vibrant and sustainable future, from visionary adaptive reuse ventures to transformative development grants for small businesses and property owners in Birmingham, Alabama's historic 4th Avenue Black Business District.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $20B in federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards distributed to eight national non-profit consortiums. Main Street America looks forward to partnership and engagement with awardees and local programs to identify projects and expand impact throughout our network.
Hillsboro, Oregón © Alicia Gallo
La responsable del programa Main Street America anima a las comunidades a promover la igualdad para las mujeres con el fin de hacer crecer un Movimiento más inclusivo.
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.
Tasha Sams, Directora de Programas Educativos, comparte los aspectos más destacados de la primera fase del programa Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3) in Rural Main Streets y las principales conclusiones de los talleres.
En este vídeo, conozca mejor la historia de la familia Williams, cómo el negocio está ayudando a revivir el centro de Helena y la repercusión que están teniendo a nivel nacional.
Descubra cómo la ciudad anfitriona de Main Street Now 2024, Birmingham (Alabama), refuerza su compromiso de crear un entorno acogedor e integrador.
Alcalde Randall Woodfin
En este episodio de Main Street Business Insights, Matt se sienta con Derrick Braziel, propietario de Pata Roja Taqueria y cofundador de MORTAR, en Cincinnati, Ohio.
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.
Conozca cómo Albany, Georgia, reconoce su legado en materia de derechos civiles y apoya a la comunidad afroamericana en la actualidad.
Celebre esta tradicional fiesta mexicana con Gardnerville, Nevada.
Gardnerville, NV © Main Street Gardnerville
Tasha Sams compartió sus experiencias en este festival cultural único de los Apalaches.
Descubra cómo esta comunidad de Oklahoma celebró el Día de la Independencia con un gran festival.
Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
Descubra cómo Rio Grande City está construyendo una ciudad acogedora e integradora tanto para mexicanos como para estadounidenses.
Rio Grande City, TX © Rio Grande City
Descubra cómo el barrio Little Santo Domingo de Miami colabora con la Fundación Truist para reforzar las vías de acceso a la propiedad de pequeñas empresas.
Allapattah CDC
Descubra cómo esta comunidad de Massachusetts utiliza su mercado agrícola para aumentar el acceso a alimentos frescos.
Cada año, H2BE celebra en Dearborn, MI, su Paseo y Rodada por la Movilidad Juneteenth, que celebra a los negros estadounidenses y mejora las conexiones locales. Más información sobre el evento y por qué Juneteenth es importante para esta comunidad.
Dearborn, MI © H2BE
¿Quieres apoyar a la próxima generación de líderes de Main Street? Cree una junta de jóvenes. Aprenda cómo Historic Downtown Clinton creó la suya y cómo su organización puede beneficiarse de una.
El movimiento Main Street es un orgulloso aliado de la comunidad LGBTQ+. Hablamos con los líderes de Main Street sobre cómo apoyan a la comunidad LGBTQ+ durante el Orgullo y más allá.
Pasos que puede dar para implicar a su comunidad judía local y hacer que su calle principal resulte acogedora para los habitantes o visitantes judíos.
El 9 de mayo, el National Trust for Historic Preservation publicó su lista de los 11 lugares históricos más amenazados de Estados Unidos para 2023, que incluía un distrito cultural situado en una comunidad designada Main Street America.
Miami, FL © NTHP
El Desfile y Fiesta del Cinco de Mayo que se celebra anualmente en el distrito de Mexicantown Main Street es un magnífico ejemplo de colaboración entre asociaciones que honran el patrimonio cultural de la comunidad y apoyan a las empresas locales a través de eventos.
Te presentamos a Kavi, la primera muñeca indioamericana de la Chica del Año y residente (ficticia) de Metuchen, Nueva Jersey, ganadora del premio Great American Main Street 2023.
Metuchen, Nueva Jersey © Lauren Beischer Photography
Community Development Block Grants son herramientas poderosas para los programas de Main Street. Obtenga más información sobre cómo los CDBG se pueden aplicar a nuestro trabajo y cómo puede abogar por el programa.
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.
Hablamos con Debbie Ho, Directora Ejecutiva de Chinatown Main Street, para conocer la historia de las mujeres en el barrio chino de Boston.
Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
Conozca a los nuevos beneficiarios de este programa de subvenciones para construir ciudades pequeñas y comunidades rurales más fuertes y prósperas.
Conozca la historia única de Folsom, Nuevo México, y cómo están trabajando con New Mexico MainStreet hoy.
Descubra cómo esta comunidad rinde homenaje a Martin Luther King Jr. y cuenta las historias de los líderes negros de su comunidad.
Dublín, GA © Visite Dublín GA
Conozca los esfuerzos de la ciudad de Boston por invertir en equidad económica.
La Downtown Sheridan Association se asocia con la tribu Crow para organizar el evento anual First People's Pow Wow durante la WYO Rodeo Week.
Hablamos con tres mujeres que recibieron subvenciones de Inclusive Backing para saber más sobre sus pasiones, sus negocios y sus consejos para otras mujeres.
Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
Contar historias es una parte fundamental del trabajo de creación de espacios que realizamos en los distritos de Main Street. Pero, ¿compartimos todas las historias por igual?
Jonesborough, TN © Jay Huron
Main Street Franklin es pionera en mostrar cómo las mujeres empresarias pueden ser una poderosa fuerza de cambio en sus comunidades.
Anette Landeros, Presidenta y Directora General de la Cámara de Comercio Hispana de Fort Worth, comparte la importancia de apoyar a los empresarios y comunidades hispanas.
#EquityRising, el nuevo programa de formación laboral de Old Algiers Main Street Corporation, pretende combatir el aumento del coste de la vida ayudando a los residentes a formarse en carreras que les permitan permanecer en su barrio.
Nueva Orleans, LA © Calle Mayor de Old Algiers
Hablamos con tres empresarios negros que recibieron subvenciones de Main Street America y American Express para comprender mejor sus retos, sus éxitos y los tipos de apoyo que más les han ayudado.
Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
Junio es el Mes del Orgullo. Descubre cómo Erie (PA), Emporia (KS), Frederick (MD), Macon (GA) y Billings (MT) celebraron la comunidad LGBTQ+.
Erie, PA © Dave Tamulonis
Stockbridge Main Street ha realizado importantes avances en la exploración y difusión de la historia de Martin Luther King, padre del héroe de los derechos civiles Martin Luther King Jr.
Stockbridge, GA © Calle principal de Stockbridge
Juneteenth es el aniversario de la emancipación definitiva de los esclavos en Estados Unidos. He aquí cinco ejemplos de celebraciones comunitarias de Main Streets de toda la red.
Charles Town, WV © Elizabeth Ricketts
Descubra cómo Downtown Florence se ha asociado con la Universidad Francis Marion para ofrecer oportunidades tanto a los estudiantes como a las pequeñas empresas locales.
Florence, SC © True Light Photography
Learn about The Bottom, a historic African-American community in Thomasville, Georgia, and efforts to preserve it's history and share it's story.
Thomasville, GA © City of Thomasville
Learn how four Main Street communities celebrated Black History Month.
Oklahoma is home to the headquarters of nearly 40 federally recognized Native American tribes, and many of their offices, cultural sites, and museums are located close to or within Main Street districts.
El Reno, OK © El Reno Main Street
Kendall Whittier is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in an ever-diversifying Tulsa. Learn how they are making efforts to engage their large Hispanic community.
Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
We spoke with two Black entrepreneurs in UrbanMain commercial districts: L. May Creations in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and The Four Way in south Memphis, Tennessee.
Memphis, TN © Four Way
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Corazón de Biddeford
This May marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We explored the impact and legacy of this tragic event.
Tulsa, OK © Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
Main Street communities across the nation are celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest national commemoration of the ending of slavery in America and the nation’s newest federal holiday!
Learn about the various programs and initiatives that Fremont is using to promote inclusive economic development.
Fremont, CA © Fremont Economic Development
From small business owners to public artists to local leaders, join us this month to amplify the impact of the LGBTQ+ community in your Main Street district.
San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Brooksville Main Street’s Women Leading the Way Campaign celebrated the legacy of the trailblazing women who made history in their community.
Brooksville, FL © Brooksville Main Street
For Black History Month, we want to recognize and celebrate the Black business owners and entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges and obstacles in launching and running their own businesses, thanks to resilience, creativity, and hard work.
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
Downtown SLO has kept the magic of their holiday lights installation alive by evolving their winter wonderland into a dual celebration of Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year.
San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Main Street programs around the Network have created engaging and COVID-safe ways to honor and celebrate the histories and lives of Black Americans in their commercial districts.
Meet some amazing women business owners!
Learn how the Allapattah Collaborative in Miami, Florida, implements a range of initiatives to expand equitable development and ensure current businesses can not only remain in the corridor but also flourish.
Read the results of our survey aimed at understanding how business owners are managing the recovery from COVID-19 and responding to recent protests and social unrest related to police violence against Black Americans.
Our research team dug into some of the data about the state of Black-owned businesses on Main Street, the structural challenges they face, and how Main Streets can support them.
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.
Supporting new and existing small businesses, and the entrepreneurs who run them, represents a vital aspect of the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood business districts.
The Equitable Economic Development Fellowship is a two-year, one million-dollar effort funded by the Surdna Foundation and the Open Society Foundations to help equity, transparency, sustainability and community engagement become driving forces in local economic development efforts.
The Zuni Pueblo MainStreet is the nation's first (and so far, only) Native American Main Street community.
As part of the Edward Jones Placemaking on Main Challenge, Downtown Brattleboro created a pop-up, mobile mini-museum.
History and architecture play an active role in educating and immersing the next generation of preservationists in Le Mars. From museum visits, scavenger hunts, to "show and tell," involving the youth and senior communities is a priority for this Main Street.
Across the county, communities are embracing the arts as a catalyst for revitalization—of buildings, businesses, and local culture.
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.
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Main Street America is committed to helping build inclusive communities. Homelessness is an increasingly important issue facing Main Street communities big and small, urban and rural.
Para comprender el papel que desempeñan los empresarios inmigrantes en el ecosistema de la pequeña empresa de Boston, basta con pasear por cualquier distrito de Boston Main Streets.
Los recién llegados han hecho que Shaw sea más diversa.
Preservar poblaciones diversas, no sólo edificios.
