Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

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People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Graduates of a BLOOM course. Photo courtesy of Sully Pinos.

In 2018, Downtown York PA’s Main Street organization, Downtown Inc, and the county’s economic development organization, the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) joined forces in a formal partnership. Since the announcement of this strategic affiliation, the capacity of both organizations has grown exponentially, leveraging greater prosperity and development for both Downtown York and York County.

Leveraging best practices from the Main Street approach and traditional economic development, Downtown Inc and the YCEA recognized that York’s best chance of success required an honest assessment of its weaknesses. As the York County Economic Action Plan made clear, one of the community’s biggest weaknesses was its birth-rate of BIPOC-owned and women-owned businesses, which significantly trailed national averages. From this, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center was launched.

BLOOM

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Sully Pinos, the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center aims to accelerate small business ownership and success, promote pathways to prosperity for talent development, and advance representation in leadership and access to opportunities. BLOOM offers a suite of services including grants, loans, business classes, fellowships, and mentorships.

In 2018, BLOOM first began offering small business grants, followed by its first small business development courses in 2019. Post COVID, the full scope of the program was formally announced in February of 2022 with its first loan towards the goal of becoming a CDFI being awarded in December of 2022. In just a few short years, $387,978 of grant funding has been awarded to 170 small businesses in Downtown York, York County, women-owned businesses, start up entrepreneurs, and graduates of the program’s business development courses. True to its mission, 53% of these grant funds have gone to BIPOC-owned businesses with 70% going to businesses owned by women.

With the support of local partners like the York NAACP, Fulton Bank, Crispus Attucks York, Susquehanna SCORE, and Shippensburg University’s Small Business Development Center, BLOOM has seen 400 participants in its small business development courses, offered in both English and Spanish, and over 600 in attendance at the monthly BLOOM Business Series, which presents relevant and informative topics to small business owners in the York community. Topics range from digital marketing best practices, to securing certification/ procurement opportunities, authentic and inspiring storefronts, and creating a welcoming and inclusive business.

The economic impact of BLOOM in Downtown York and York County is significant, but nothing compares with the program’s human impact. “As a graduate of the BLOOM Small Business Development courses, these classes have given me a clear vision on how to start my business and the resources need to begin my business,” shares local entrepreneur Felix Vasquez.

To learn more about the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, go to yceapa.org/bloom

Have questions? BLOOM Executive Director, Sully Pinos can be reached at SPinos@yceapa.org.