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Main Street Blog

Main Spotlight: Craft Beverages and Main Street in Washington State

January 23, 2019 | Main Spotlight: Craft Beverages and Main Street in Washington State | By Logan Camporeale, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Directors and Historic Preservation Specialist at City/County of Spokane | Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle In two months, Washington Main Street will co-host the 2019  Main Street Now Conference  in Seattle, March 25-27. Get to know our host city through this special pre-conference blog series. Register for the conference today to take advantage of the member rates and the new   special rate for civic leaders . Beer Ezra Meeker was the Hop King of the World. In 1852, Meeker ...
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A Warm Welcome to Jenna Temkin, our Newest Staff Member

January 16, 2019 | A Warm Welcome to Jenna Temkin, NMSC's Associate Manager of Marketing and Outreach | The National Main Street Center (NMSC) is excited to welcome Jenna Temkin to a new role in the organization as Associate Manager of Marketing and Outreach. In this position, Jenna will be supporting the Center’s efforts to raise Main Street’s profile and amplify the work of local Main Street programs across the country. In the short-term, she’ll be focused on helping with Main Street Now conference communications, the Great American Main Street Awards, and Main Street America Institute and Field Services marketing. Jenna comes to the NMSC with a strong ...
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Community Spotlight: Ice Climbing on Main Street

January 16, 2019 | Community Spotlight: Ice Climbing on Main Street |  Photo credit: Benjamin Hake Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains is the tiny town of Lake City, Colorado. With more than 50 miles to the nearest town, this small Main Street community is implementing innovative strategies to keep their 400 year-round residents busy and to draw tourists to the area. The Lake City Ice Wall endeavor started a dozen years ago with a few hardy volunteers farming the ice. Free and open to the public, it is located by permission on public land and is adjacent to city limits and the Main Street boundary. The ice wall boasts 10-15 routes, 60-100 ...
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2019 Main Street Now Conference: The Mobile Event Guide is Now Live

January 16, 2019 | 2019 Main Street Now Conference: The Mobile Event Guide is Now Live |  Join your fellow commercial district revitalization professionals in Seattle for Main Street Now on March 25-27.  We will explore Main Street programs from the inside out, centering on the hard-work of the staff and board, transformative external partnerships, and the myriad of ways in which communities come together on Main Streets. With beautiful Seattle and its surrounding communities as our living laboratory, Main Street Now will leave you feeling inspired and equipped with solutions to help you in your work.  We encourage you to take advantage of the early-bird, ...
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Main Street America Program Relaunches in California

January 15, 2019 | Main Street America Program Relaunches in California |  LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA (January 15, 2019) – The California Main Street Alliance (CAMSA) and the National Main Street Center (NMSC) announce the relaunch of a statewide initiative to reinvigorate local economies and support historic downtowns in California through the network of Main Street America communities. The NMSC will provide administrative, technical, and training support to the CAMSA members effective January 11, 2019. These new services will enhance the support that had been available from the state of California for several decades and which has been eliminated due to state ...
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Main Spotlight: Seeking Revitalization Rockstars

January 15, 2019 | Main Spotlight: Seeking Revitalization Rockstars |  Photo credit: Czech Village New Bohemia Main Street (IA) It’s a familiar scene and far too many of us have been there before…the monotonous monthly board meeting. Dress it up if you like, change the time, try a more relaxed setting, maybe even offer free food and drinks; but the boredom sets in just as fast. Listening to the same reports, noticing the same lack of attendance, hearing the same concerns with little to no action. Sound familiar? The road to revitalization apathy is paved with good intentions. When a Main Street organization is born, we set out with grand visions ...
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Allied Member Spotlight: Traipse

January 9, 2019 | Allied Member Spotlight: Traipse |  This week, we caught up with Main Street America Allied Member Traipse ,  a mobile app that allows you to explore cities, historic landmarks, and locally owned businesses while challenging your brain wit h fun puzzles and clues.   Name of your company? Traipse.  Fun fact: "Traipse" means to walk around casually without a specific direction, especially for pleasure. Number of years the business has been around? 3+ Where are you located? Staunton, Virginia What is the most rewarding aspect of working with Main Streets? We get to help bolster local economies while encouraging residents ...
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The Main Street America Institute: Sustainable Organization Course is Coming Soon

January 9, 2019 | The Main Street America Institute's Sustainable Organization Course is Coming Soon | The Main Street America Institute’s Advanced Principles of Sustainable Organization , a three-week, live online course, begins February 5. Join commercial district revitalization professionals from across the country to learn best practices in creating a volunteer-driven, sustainably-funded and community-supported program. How can participation help you? Read on for the recommendation of your colleague, Cathleen Edgerly, Director of Howell Main Street (MI), a 2018 GAMSA winner:   “Last year I took the Sustainable Organizations Course. As a community ...
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A Year in Review

January 7, 2019 | A Year in Review: Main Street's Future is Strong |  As we enter the new year, I’ve been reflecting on the National Main Street Center's work in 2018 and the state of the field more broadly. I wanted to share these thoughts with you as a way to continue to build a dialogue around what’s working on Main Street, what we’re facing as a field, and where we’re going as a movement. When I take a step back, I’m struck by the gulf between the stories of decline and stark economic realities that dominate headlines on the one hand, and the optimism and sense of momentum I’ve witnessed in the work of Main Streets on the other. Looking back at what ...
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Community Spotlight: Historic Tax Credits Help to Complete Hastings Brewery Lofts Project

January 3, 2019 | Community Spotlight: Historic Tax Credits Help to Complete Hastings Brewery Lofts Project |  Photo credit: Randal Chick, Director Business Improvement at District Community Redevelopment Authority A historic building in Hastings sees new life thanks to historic tax credit programs offered through History Nebraska . Partners cut the ribbon of the Brewery Lofts , Hastings newest affordable housing development, on December 10, 2018.    Originally built in 1908, the two historic buildings once served as the factory and bottling facilities for the Hastings Brewery Company. Since that time, the buildings were used for meat packing, cold ...
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Join MSAI in Seattle for the Leadership Development Workshop

January 2, 2019 | Join MSAI in Seattle for the Leadership Development Workshop | How do you balance self-management, teamwork, and leading your organization to transform your community? Join the 2019 Leadership Development Workshop to learn, reflect, and develop the answer with your peers from across the country. Begin your Main Street America Institute professional development journey and earn 10 AICP continuing education credits. Act now ! Early bird pricing ends January 11, 2019 . This intensive, two-day workshop focuses on your ability as a leader from the inside out. Through coaching, reflection, and group activities, you will deepen ...
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Happy Holidays from the National Main Street Center Team

December 21, 2018 | Happy Holidays from the National Main Street Center Team |  Happy Holidays from the National Main Street Center team and the Trust's Chicago Field Office!  Our office will be closed December 24-25 and December 31-January 1, 2019. #Blogs
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Top Blog Posts of 2018

December 20, 2018 | Top Blog Posts of 2018 | As 2018 comes to a close, we're taking a look back at some of the most popular content from the Main Street America blog from this past year. Check out the top five blog posts below! Inspiring a Community (and State) to Build a Better Block | By Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa Coordinator at the Iowa Economic Development Authority Volunteers from Main Street programs across Iowa converge to implement change in downtown Ottumwa. Photo Credit: Main Street Iowa  Hand your community the tools and resources to make their own change. Main Street Ottumwa's vision for a bright future became a reality when ...
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Improving Facades Across Texas

December 18, 2018 | Improving Facades Across Texas | By Tracy Cox, San Augustine Main Street Manager, and Ina McDowell, Executive Director, Main Street Texarkana | With the generous support of the 1772 Foundation, Pecan Point Brewing Company in Texarkana, Texas, received a $10,000 loan/grant package for stucco repair and exterior painting as part of the first round of the Main Street America Facade Improvement Pilot Program. In 2016, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) launched the Main Street America Façade Improvement Pilot Program, with generous support from the  1772 Foundation, Inc. This three-year program makes available $80,000 in no-interest ...
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Small Business Saturday 2018: Neighborhood Champions of Main Street America

December 13, 2018 | Small Business Saturday 2018: Neighborhood Champions of Main Street America | By Ariana Pup, Communications Coordinator at the National Main Street Center |  Christmas Parade in Benicia, California. Photo credit: Visit Benicia On November 24, an estimated 104 million U.S. shoppers* reported to take part on Small Business Saturday. Our Main Streets worked hard to create an unforgettable day -- encouraging their communities and visitors to head downtown and shop local. In this roundup, read about the many accomplishments, events, activities and more from our network. We loved seeing all that Shop Small swag! Batavia, Illinois  ...
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Register Now for the 2019 Main Street Now Conference in Seattle

December 11, 2018 | Register Now for the 2019 Main Street Now Conference in Seattle |  Join your fellow commercial district revitalization professionals in Seattle for Main Street Now on March 25-27.  We will explore Main Street programs from the inside out, centering on the hard-work of the staff and board, transformative external partnerships, and the myriad of ways in which communities come together on Main Streets. With beautiful Seattle and its surrounding communities as our living laboratory, Main Street Now will leave you feeling inspired and equipped with solutions to help you in your work.  We encourage you to take advantage of the early-bird, member ...
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Life by the Water

December 10, 2018 | Life by the Water | By Francesca Reeves, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation | Photo credit: David Newman, Visit Seattle Washington Main Street will co-host the 2019  Main Street Now Conference  in Seattle, March 25-27. Get to know our host city through this special pre-conference blog series. Register for the conference today to take advantage of the early-bird, member rates, and the new special rate for civic leaders . Seattle’s waterfront – a crucial part of the city’s culture and industry When you think of Seattle, Wash., what comes to mind? Some would say one of the city’s sports teams, while others ...
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Opportunity Zones Come Into Focus

December 10, 2018 | Opportunity Zones Come Into Focus | By Anthony Veerkamp, Director of Policy Development , Research & Policy Lab, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation |  The National Register–listed 1905 Louisville Gardens (originally the Jefferson County Armory) is highlighted as an investment opportunity in Louisville’s Opportunity Zone Prospectus. | Photo Credit: Photo by David Swinney is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 By now, you’ve probably heard about Opportunity Zones, but you may still not be sure whether to be excited, alarmed, or indifferent regarding their implications for your community. That’s no surprise—depending ...
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Main Spotlight: A Proven Economic Development Strategy

December 5, 2018 | Main Spotlight: A Proven Economic Development Strategy | By Edward T. McMahon, Senior Resident Fellow at the Urban Land Institute and Chairman of the National Main Street Center’s Board of Directors | Main Street’s holistic, incremental approach to community revitalization works—this has been proven time and time again. In this special edition of Main Spotlight, NMSC Board Chair Ed McMahon takes a look at  why  it works. From exploring the power of small steps to the importance of investing in people and creating quality places, he makes an undeniable case for community leaders that Main Street is always a better economic strategy than ...
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Community Spotlight: 1772 Foundation Inc. Tours Facade Improvement Projects in Texas

December 5, 2018 | 1772 Foundation Inc. Tours Façade Improvement Projects in Texas | Photo credits: (Top, L-R) Marie Oehlerking-Read, Texas Main Street Project Designer; Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana Executive Director; Lindsey Wallace,  Sr. Manager, Special Projects at the National Main Street Center (NMSC);  Mayor Bob Bruggeman of Texarkana, Texas; Mayor Ruth Penney Bell of Texarkana, Arkansas; Mary Anthony; Gillian Lang; Patrice Frey, President and CEO of NMSC; and Debra Drescher, Texas Main Street State Coordinator. (Bottom, L-R) Tracy Cox, San Augustine Main Street Executive Director; Leroy Hughes, San Augustine Mayor; Patrice Frey, NMSC; Mary ...
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