Board Spotlight: Meet Main Street America’s Three New Board Members
We are excited to welcome Lynda Tran, Tyrone Rachal, and Mary Helmer Wirth to the Main Street America Board of Directors
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2022 was a monumental year for Main Street America and the Main Street Movement, and that excitement and momentum was reflected on our blog. From the ongoing pivots needed to meet changing community needs to the timeless power of place, these are the most popular blog posts we published this year.
The Importance of Place
Ed McMahon, MSA Board Chair Emeritus, January 5
“Change is inevitable, but the destruction of community character and identity is not.”
2022 started off strong with this powerful, thought-provoking piece by Main Street America Board Chair Emeritus Ed McMahon on the role that place plays in shaping community character, identity, and more. He advocates for “placekeeping,” the preservation of the cultural, historic, and social features that define and enrich a community. This includes maintaining public spaces, restoring historic architectural features, conserving natural resources, and designing new developments that fit in with the existing community identity.
Read More >
10 Predictions for 2022
Matt Wagner, PhD, MSA Chief Program Officer January 12
“Focus on helping your businesses diversify revenue streams beyond walk-in traffic to strengthen and grow the economic base of your district.”
Matt Wagner is well-known for his prescient predictions, and this year was no exception. His vision for 2022 included an increase in tiny homes, cost issues stemming from the supply chain, tourism driven by electric car charging needs, a continued reliance on e-commerce, and more. Read this article to see how his predictions for the year stacked up against reality.
Read More >
Findings from the Winter 2022 Small Business Survey
Mike Powe, PhD, MSA Director of Research, March 22
“26% of small business owners said they were extremely confident (10 out of 10), and 59% rated their confidence as an 8, 9, or 10.”
The start of this year was marred by the hardships and uncertainty that had so-far defined the pandemic, but our small business survey also found a lot of hope. PPP loans and other federal programs had successful saved many Main Street businesses, with some districts reporting more business starts than closures. Despite this good news, many were concerned about inflation and supply-chain problems, fears which were justified later in the year.
Read More >
Sign Regulation
Ed McMahon, MSA Board Chair Emeritus, May 25
“Sign regulation is one of the most powerful actions a community can take to make an immediate, visible change in its physical environment.”
Ed McMahon brought his decades-long expertise in historic preservation to the Main Street network in May with this detailed piece on the importance of sign regulation in historic commercial districts. Signs play an important role in the look and feel of a district, and Ed argues that Main Streets need to pay special attention to what their signs are saying to visitors. He lays out the different kinds of signs and the unique considerations for each, as well as the legal and economic challenges of regulating them.
Read More >
Catalyzing Upper Floor Housing with the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program
Emily Kurash Casey, Rethos’ Director of Community Programs, August 2
“Making upper floors not only habitable, but accessible and safe, is crucial to the continuation of successful downtown districts.”
Rethos, the Coordinating partner for Minnesota Main Streets, showed the power of creative thinking for funding small-scale development with their new initiative, “Looking Up.” They were awarded a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant of $700,000, which they will re-grant to Minnesota communities to support housing development projects in vacant second stories of historic downtown buildings. Main Street America’s research has found that 75% of Main Street managers feel that there is not enough housing to accommodate everyone who wants to live in their district, and innovative projects like “Looking Up” can help meet that demand.
Read More >
Farmers Markets as a Transformation Strategy for Main Streets
Marta Olmos, MSA Communications Coordinator, August 9
“Farmers Markets are businesses, but they are also community builders.”
For National Farmers Market Week, Main Street America explored the potential of farmers markets as a transformation strategy for Main Street districts. We interviewed Main Street staff across the country to learn how they have used farmers markets to connect with each of the four points and bring new life to their districts. From small business support programs to fun social promotions, these Main Streets are making farmers markets cool again.
Read More >
Beyond Passing the Plate - The Main Street America Small Deal Initiative
Patrice Frey, MSA Senior Advisor, September 27
“Without a scalable solution, the lack of capital will continue to suppress economic development, marginalize communities of color and rural places, and perpetuate our culture of waste and environmental destruction by leaving high quality existing buildings vacant or underutilized.”
2022 was a year full of transitions including Patrice Frey’s decision to step down from her position as our President and CEO and shift to serving as the Senior Advisor of our new Small Deal Initiative. This important and necessary project seeks to bridge the funding gaps facing small-scale development projects in historic commercial districts, who often rely on self-financing or other tenuous sources. The Small Deal Initiative is currently conducting research to gain a better understand the specific challenges and needs facing our communities before digging deeper into solutions.
Read More >
Thank you for an amazing year! Stay tuned for for more thought-provoking blogs in 2023.
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Volunteers help make streetscape improvements in Nevada, Iowa. © Main Street Nevada
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Events create opportunities for the community to gather in downtown Nevada, Iowa. © Linda Wendt
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Speakers kick-off a session at Main Street Now 2024. © Alicia Gallo
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Macon, Georgia © Mike Young Photography
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“It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham” mural by Creighton Tynes © Bham Now
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Kelly Ingram Park © Greater Birmingham CVB
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Downtown Birmingham, Alabama © Sean Pavone/iStock
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Oxford, Alabama © City of Oxford, Alabama
Friendly Reminder: Take the 2024 Main Street Trends Survey
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Birmingham skyline from Railroad Park. © Sean Pavone/iStock
Register Now: 2024 Leadership Development Workshop in Birmingham, Alabama
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Board Spotlight: Erin Barnes Chats with Board Chair Jess Zimbabwe
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Take the 2024 Main Street Trends Survey!
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Woodlawn Market Place © Nathan Watson/Bham Now
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Main Spotlight: Top 7 Blogs of 2023
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Florence, SC © Phil Eich
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Main Streeters gathered for the Community Transformation Workshop to explore strategies to advance their work.
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Ostego, MI
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Boyne City, MI © Michigan Main Street
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Don't miss your chance to submit a proposal for a session at the 2024 Main Street Now conference!
T‑Mobile Hometown Grants Spark Positive Change in 25 New Communities
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Letter from Erin Barnes, President and CEO, Main Street America
Erin Barnes shares her neighborhood and invites other Main Streeters to share theirs.
Announcing the 2024 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalists
Congratulations to these exceptional Main Street programs!
Deadline Extended: 2024 Main Street Now Conference Call for Proposals
Don't miss your chance to submit a proposal for the 2024 Main Street Now conference!
Due Soon: 2024 Main Street Now Conference Session Proposals
Don't miss your chance to share your expertise with attendees in Birmingham, Alabama!
Community Spotlight: Downtown Wytheville Meets Downtown Florence
Leaders from a Virginia Main Street program traveled to South Carolina to learn from another award-winning community.
© Jenny Boulware
Registration Now Open: Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street Online Course
This three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to more effectively work with small business owners in their districts and create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship.
© Notice Pictures
Submit a Session Proposal: 2024 Main Street Now Conference
Share you perspective and expertise at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 6-8.
Last Chance: Register for 2023 Community Transformation Workshop Today!
Don't miss your opportunity to participate in this exciting educational opportunity!
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Recordings Now Available: Summer School Webinar Series
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Last Chance to Apply for the 2024 Great American Main Street Award
Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your community's achievements!
Call for Proposals: 2024 Main Street Now Conference
Share your ideas for exciting and innovative sessions at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference!
Main Spotlight: Beat the Heat This Summer Using Downtown Design
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Starting Next Week: Summer School Webinar Series
Join us for a three-part webinar series revisiting some of the most popular sessions from the 2023 Main Street Now Conference
One Month Left to Apply for the 2024 Great American Main Street Award
Don't miss your opportunity to showcase your community's achievements!
Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
Join us: Summer School Webinar Series Revisiting Top Conference Topics
Join us for a three-part webinar series revisiting some of the most popular sessions from the 2023 Main Street Now Conference
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Now Accepting Applications: 2024 Great American Main Street Award
Nominate your community for this prestigious award recognizing excellence in commercial district revitalization.
Sheridan, WY © Downtown Sheridan Association
Small Town Spark: Exhibitions Celebrating Innovation in Rural Towns Uplift the Main Street Movement
We are excited to share a recent collaboration with Spark! Places of Innovation, a traveling exhibition curated by the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program.
Washington, D.C. © Rizka
Get a Sneak Peek at the 2023 Community Transformation Workshop
Learn how to tackle complex revitalization scenarios with our Community Transformation Workshop, October 2-3 in Vancouver, WA.
Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
Register Today: 2024 Great American Main Street Award Application Webinar
Thinking about applying for the 2024 Great American Main Street Award? Tune in to the application webinar on June 21!
Florence, SC © Downtown Florence Main Street Program
Board Spotlight: Welcoming Jenice Contreras to the Main Street America Board of Directors
We are excited to welcome Jenice Contreras to the Main Street America Board of Directors. Jenice has a long record of leadership across community and economic development with deep experience with equitable growth, small-scale development, and cultural preservation.
Cleveland, OH © DJ Johnson
Registration Now Open: 2023 Community Transformation Workshop in Vancouver, Washington
Join Main Street America experts in Vancouver, Wash., to gain first-hand experience in harnessing transformation strategies to successfully revitalize your Main Street!
Vancouver, WA © Vancouver Downtown Association
Main Spotlight: Announcing the 2023 Main Street America Designated Communities and Reinvestment Impact of Local Programs in 2022
We are excited to announce that 862 Main Street programs across the country have earned Accredited status, Main Street America’s top level of recognition.
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
Congratulations to the 2023 MSARP Recipients!
The MSARP credential is the highest level of achievement offered through the Main Street America Institute, requiring dedication to completing a rigorous curriculum of online courses, readings, assignments, workshops, and a challenging final exam.
Connecting and Gathering in a City of Main Streets at Main Street Now 2023
Over the course of three days, nearly 1900 Main Streeters from near and far gathered for dynamic educational sessions, immersive mobile workshops, and network-building activities.
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Main Spotlight: Announcing the 2023 Great American Main Street Award Winners
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Top 50 (or so) Things To Do in Boston, by Bostonians
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Roslindale Village: 38 Years at the Vanguard of Building Resiliency and Reimagining Spaces
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Peak Immersive Learning: A Snapshot of Mobile Workshops Main Street Now 2023
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A vendor serves beverages at the Roslindale Summer Farmers Market in 2022. © Bruce Spero Photography
Main Spotlight: Introducing the Main Street Foundations Series
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What Mary Means to Me
Todd Wolford, executive director of Downtown Wytheville Inc and recipient of the 2022 Mary Means Leadership Award, reflects on his Main Street career.
Main Spotlight: Reflections from the 2022 Community Transformation Workshop in Wyoming
Jackie Swihart, Program Officer for MSA, shares some key takeaways from the three-day event.
Laramie, WY © Main Street America
Main Spotlight: 30 Years of Dynamic Growth Across Illinois Main Street
Illinois Main Street's work over the last 30 years and the exciting projects they are planning in the future.
Alton, IL © Alton Main Street
Main Spotlight: Farmers Markets as a Transformation Strategy for Main Streets
Learn how Main Streets from California to Florida have used Farmers Markets to transform their communities and achieve Main Street goals.
Main Spotlight: Nine Years at Main Street — Lessons and Reflections
At the Opening Plenary at the Main Street Now Conference in Richmond, Virginia, Patrice Frey shared lessons and reflections from her past nine years at Main Street.
Farewell from Patrice Frey, President and CEO, Main Street America
Outgoing President and CEO Patrice Frey closes out her tenure at Main Street America and transitions into a new role.
Main Spotlight: Announcing the 2022 Main Street America Designated Communities and 2021 Reinvestment Statistics
Main Street America congratulates our 2022 designated communities and explores the impact of the Main Street Movement.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Main Spotlight: Reflections on the Evolution of Main Street
Mary Means, founder of the Main Street Movement, reflects on her experiences at Main Street Now 2022 and shares advice for local leaders.
Announcing the 2022 Great American Main Street Award Winners
Meet the winners of this award recognizing Main Street excellence.
Community Spotlight: Welcoming Parramore to Orlando Main Streets!
Meet Parramore, a historically African-American community in Orlando, Florida.
Orlando, FL © Tyla Harrington
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Community Spotlight: Women Leaders Series — Week Three
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Community Spotlight: Women Leaders Series — Week Two
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
Community Spotlight: Women Leaders Series — Week One
Each week this Women's History Month, Main Street America is spotlighting the stories of women leaders in local and coordinating Main Street programs.
INVEST South/West Chicago Reaches Two-year Milestone
Main Street America's partners in Chicago celebrate two years of training and technical assistance in the city.
Chicago, IL © Main Street America
Main Spotlight: Better Community Planning & Economic Development Series with Ed McMahon
Leverage NC, a partnership between North Carolina Main Street and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, hosted a four-part webinar series titled Better Community Planning & Economic Development led by Ed McMahon, Chair Emeritus of Main Street America and a leading national authority on land use policy and economic development.
Community Spotlight: Main Street America’s Field Team Gets Back on the Road
After many zoom meetings, our road warriors are back visiting communities and providing technical assistance.
Washington, IA © Kathy La Plante
2020 Year in Review: A Letter to the Network
President and CEO Patrice Frey reflects on 2020 and the early events of 2021.
Florence, SC © True Light Photography
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: First Round Recipient Spotlights
These 67 recipients from across the country ranged from bakeries and boutiques to salons and museums, but they all shared a commitment to the program's goals of responding and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic and helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic downtown commercial districts.
New Research from Brookings and the National Main Street Center on the Value of Main Street Organizations
The Brookings Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking released a new series of research briefs focused on the role that place governance organizations, like Main Street programs, play in revitalizing rural downtowns and promoting equitable rural economic and community development.
Congratulations to the 2020 MSARP Recipients!
Meet the latest graduates of our certificate program for leaders in commercial district revitalization.
Main Spotlight: Developing a Toolbox to Help Manage Growth on Main Street
Georgetown has developed a strong Downtown Master Plan that helps serve as a guide-point for planning efforts in downtown
Announcing the 2020 Mary Means Leadership Award Recipient
Meet Sharon Jablonski, the Director of Morganton Main Street in Morganton, North Carolina, and the first recipient of the Mary Means Leadership Award.
Announcing the 2020 Great American Main Street Award Winners
Congratulations to these Main Street programs for their fantastic work!
Community Spotlight: Missouri Main Street Connection Leads the Iowa Community Expedition
Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) had the opportunity to take Missouri Executive Directors and other community representatives on the Iowa Community Expedition
District Spotlight: Pontiac, Michigan
In response, UrbanMain and Main Street Oakland County joined forces in March 2018 to assist Pontiac stakeholders in putting their downtown organization back on a positive track, making Pontiac the first community in Michigan to participate in the UrbanMain initiative.
2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets Winning Sites
American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America announced the winners of the 2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign.
2018 Community Transformation Workshop Recap
An essential component of the Main Street America Institute, the three-day in-person workshop gives participants hands-on tools to enact revitalization projects in their communities.
A Statewide Movement Improving West Virginia Main Streets
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.
Community Spotlight: Main Street Hampton
Main Street Hampton hosted a Food and Friends Farm-to-Table dinner at the Rustic Brew during Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week.
Community Spotlight: Partners in Preservation 2018
From community gathering spaces to retail incubators, from small towns to big cities – this year’s projects and communities are a testament to the diversity of Main Streets across the country.
Community Spotlight: Ames, Iowa
Downtown Ames hosted a festival for the 46th annual RAGBRAI race (The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa).
7 Ways To Bring Your Main Street On Screen
You don’t need to be a big-name district to make a video that goes viral; you just need to know what you’re doing.
Comcast Newsmakers: Revitalizing Downtown
Matt Wagner, National Main Street Center's Vice President of Revitalization Programs, discusses competitive advantages, incrementalism and the power of the Main Street America network
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.
