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If you would have told me 6 years ago when I started with Downtown Wytheville Inc. that I would even be considered for the Mary Means Leadership Award from Main Street America, I wouldn’t have believed it. At that time, I didn’t even know what the Main Street Approach was or even how our community was going to receive this new Main Street initiative that we were trying to implement locally.
Making the case for Main Street
In late 2016, I was hired as a brand-new Main Street Director to create positive change within our local community, recruit new businesses, and assist in a full-scale streetscape construction project. This all sounded awesome and something that I would love to do, but that feeling changed some when I faced the challenges of working with others’ egos, agendas, and the politics surrounding all that. I allude to some of that in this blog post I wrote for Main Street America in 2019. I learned quickly that construction projects are not fun, and that recruiting businesses and generating foot traffic in a construction zone is virtually impossible. It felt, at times, almost like this was a job that really had no description and required me to learn as I go while having funding held over our head and trying to figure out what to do in the process. I wondered what I had gotten myself into. I later learned that this is the world we Directors live in a lot of times.
In the beginning, for me, it was almost a no-win situation. I knew what we were doing was impactful and beneficial for our community. However, selling all that to residents, businesses, and property owners was a different story at times. Some people see change or progress as a negative thing, especially in rural communities. Also, some people and organizations who are not a part of the process don’t personally like it because they are not the ones creating the positive change. There is a reason that Main Street Director positions have a lifespan of about 5-6 years. It’s time for localities and other like-minded organizations to understand and accept that Main Street is grassroots economic development at its truest form. We build relationships, negotiate projects, facilitate public and private partnerships, change the landscape and culture of communities, and, most importantly, create a sense of place right here at home. We are changemakers, and those who choose to get on board can be too.
Living and Learning
It’s like anything in life. You live, learn, and keep pushing. You earn a seat at the table through hard work and dedication to the end goal while generating as many positive partnerships along the way as you can. My mindset upon taking this position was to create a vision for our community and make it become a reality while being steadfast and consistent with that approach. Some will like it, and some won’t. That’s ok though if the majority swings in your direction. It is most important to have the right group and partners surrounding you because, without their support, you can’t get any of this done. I didn’t understand the world of local small-town businesses and organizational politics before taking this position. I learned quickly that a lot of what people say and do are two different things. It’s quite amazing what Main Street organizations can get done while being understaffed, underfunded, and mostly volunteer-driven. There is no doubt we make the most impact with the least resources. Just imagine if we have all the resources and capacity we need at our fingertips. However, when things get tough, Main Street Organizations thrive and rise to the occasion. I think it’s just our nature as Directors and why it takes a special person to be one. Not everyone is cut out for this job, and I have often questioned many times if I am.
Early in the process was a struggle, but we got through it, gained momentum, sustained additional funding, celebrated some small wins, and really started to separate ourselves from the crowd and build our brand awareness through the process. Now we serve as a positive role model for other communities, just as they did for us in the beginning.
Create a vision and make it a reality
While the Mary Means Leadership Award is an individual award, none of this happens without the partners, countless volunteers, and support. It means a great deal to be honored in this capacity and really makes me feel rewarded for the long hours and behind-the-scenes work that I put in for our local community and region.
I am no different from any other Directors who put in the work and create positive change for their respective communities. But I believe what sets me apart are my instincts and unique vision in creating a sense of place where locals and visitors alike want to be. That has been and will always be my focus for Wytheville. When we create an avenue for businesses, property owners, and community residents who bond with that same vision, we can collectively become positive community champions and change-makers for generations to come.
#togetherwearebetter
The Main Street network is such a close-knit community. We have so much in common and can help each other through situations because we get it and live it. The mental health of Main Street is a real thing and we need to consciously focus on creating a healthy work life balance, if that is such a thing in this line of work. I think the more we work together and build the network capacity, the stronger we all become. I speak to Directors and other communities all the time about processes, ideas, and overall organizational capacity and sustainability. A lot of times, we, as Directors, just need to be a sounding board. I am no different from anyone. I reach out to people too, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am glad to be a voice for Main Street and to continue to build positive connections in our network.
I was honored to be chosen for the Mary Means Leadership Award for 2022 and will continue to push the Main Street narrative on the local, state, and national levels. Main Street Directors across the nation are some of the strongest and most self-motivated people I have ever been around. It takes a special person to deal with all the dynamics of this position, and I respect every Director across the nation who is creating change within their respective communities, because not much about this line of work comes without a mountain of stress, constant change, and being the boots on the ground.
Applications for the 2023 Mary Means Award are now open! The success of a Main Street program depends upon the vision and determination of local leaders committed to community-led transformation. To celebrate these extraordinary individuals and to recognize the outstanding leadership of Main Street America’s founder, Main Street America recognizes exceptional leaders with the Mary Means Leadership Award.
The nominee must be currently employed by or volunteering (including Board Members) with a local Main Street program or Coordinating Program that have an active Main Street America membership. The applicant may submit a nomination for someone else or themselves. Nominations are due by January 11. The awardee will be announced at the 2023 Main Street Now Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.
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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.
