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

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

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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

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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

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

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

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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.

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March 25, 2019 | National Main Street Center | Announcing the 2019 Great American Main Street Award Winners

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The National Main Street Center announced Alberta Main Street in Portland, Oregon; Wausau River District in Wausau, Wisconsin; and Wheeling Heritage in Wheeling, West Virginia, as the 2019 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners. GAMSA is the nation’s top award for communities that have excelled in comprehensive preservation-based downtown revitalization. The winners were announced at the National Main Streets Center’s annual conference in Seattle, Washington.

“This year’s winners are proof that our commercial district revitalization approach has the power to transform communities across the country,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center. “While their stories are all unique, GAMSA winners have turned around their local economies by investing in locally-owned businesses, collaborating with public and private partners, and rallying their community members’ support.”

Alberta Main Street: Portland, Oregon

After decades of disinvestment, Alberta Main Street has become a bustling and inclusive arts district. Since the Alberta Main Street program formed in 2010, they have worked to create an equitable commercial district by offering programs that encourage small business development and property ownership among residents who have been historically marginalized from economic growth. Today, over fifty percent of Alberta businesses are women-owned and 23 percent are minority-owned.

Growth has rippled across the district. Forty-four new businesses have started since 2010 and job opportunities have nearly doubled—from 696 in 2010 to 1,375 in 2018. Main Street is now lined with locally-owned businesses, public art, and programming with low barriers for entry. Last year, events, programs, and activities drew 30,000 people to the district, with an estimated economic impact of over $5 million.

Wausau River District: Wausau, Wisconsin

Wausau River District has generated nearly $120 million in public and private investment, added rich programming, and expanded their partnerships to transform their commercial corridor into an arts and culture hub of north central Wisconsin. Located along the Wisconsin River, Wausau has focused on developing unique public spaces and special events that showcase the character and natural beauty of their downtown.

Before Wausau River District formed in 2002, their downtown faced a decade of competition from big box stores, resulting in a constant flight of local businesses. Between 2002 and 2010, Wausau River District advocated for new developments and redesigned streets to make them wider and more walkable. These efforts, combined with significant public and private investment, have sparked a transformation. Downtown Wausau’s vacancy rate has gone from 13 percent to 3 percent since 2002, and residential development has swelled. Their downtown has generated more than 1,000 new jobs and 104 net new businesses since 2002.

Wheeling Heritage: Wheeling, West Virginia

A town of 28,000 along the Ohio River, Wheeling has turned their once blighted downtown into an economic engine for the community. Wheeling saw disinvestment in the 1980s and 90s as retailers went to suburban shopping malls and major local industries suffered losses. But in the only four years since Wheeling’s Main Street program launched, they have generated $50 million in total investment, rehabbed 124 buildings, and lowered their downtown’s vacancy rate from 32 percent to 15 percent.

Thanks to a growing downtown shopping, dining, and arts scene, anchored by the iconic Capitol Theater and Centre Market Historic District, more people are living in downtown Wheeling than ever before. Once vacant buildings, including a former department store and warehouse, have become unique living spaces. While there were no multi-family market-rate apartments in 2015, there are now 100 new multi-family, market-rate units downtown. Home to pivotal moments in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Wheeling can look to a brighter future thanks to the tremendous work of Wheeling Heritage and its local partners.

Learn more about each of the 2019 GAMSA winners:

ALBERTA MAIN STREET

WAUSAU RIVER DISTRICT

WHEELING HERITAGE