Main Street Blog

Main Street Blog

The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses: Follow-up Survey Report

May 26, 2020 | The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses: Follow-up Survey Report | By Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., Vice President of Revitalization Programs, NMSC, and Michael Powe, Ph.D., Director of Research, NMSC Main Street America recently conducted a follow-up to its survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses to better understand the continued challenges businesses face as the crisis evolves. The hundreds of responses we received from business owners across the country indicate that small businesses remain severely challenged by reduced revenues and are uncertain about their path forward. Federal financial programs associated with COVID-19 have ...
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COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: The Vertical Art Garden Project and the Peace of Mind Pledge

May 22, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: The Vertical Art Garden Project and the Peace of Mind Pledge | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |  Photo credit: Downtown Cheyenne  The COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic and during the recovery process. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of related resources, please visit our Main Street Forward COVID-19 resource center . Behind the Mask. A new online social media series from Downtown Martinez highlights ...
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Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Gap Servicing Projects

May 22, 2020 | Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Gap Servicing Projects Left: Donaldsonville, LA, Courtesy: Donaldsonville Downtown Development District; Right: Kendall Whittier District, Courtesy: Kendall Whittier Main Street Program Earlier this week, we announced the recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization , which will provide eight Accredited Main Street America Programs $10,000 each to help fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of COVID-19. We wanted to give you the details on these creative responses to the effects of the pandemic so you can implement similar programs in your ...
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New Partnership with the City of Chicago will Help Reactivate 12 Commercial Districts

May 21, 2020 | New Partnership with the City of Chicago will Help Reactivate 12 Commercial Districts | UrbanMain is pleased to announce a new partnership with the City of Chicago in their INVEST South/West program, which aims to reactivate 12 neighborhood cores on the City's South and West sides.   “We are thrilled to partner with the City of Chicago and LISC Chicago to launch a new citywide Main Street program targeting Invest South/West communities,” said the National Main Street Center’s Director of Urban Programs Dionne Baux. “I look forward to working with community partners to reactivate commercial districts that have historically served as focal points ...
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Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Entrepreneur and Small Business Support and Training Projects

May 21, 2020 | Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Entrepreneur and Small Business Support and Training Projects | Left: Laurens, South Carolina, Courtesy Main Street Laurens; Center: Harrisonburg, VA, Courtesy Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance; Right: Gallup, New Mexico, Credit: Cayla Nimmo Earlier this week, we announced the recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization , which will provide eight Accredited Main Street America Programs $10,000 each to help fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of COVID-19. We wanted to give you the details on these creative responses to the effects of ...
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Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Community Engagement Projects

May 21, 2020 | Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Community Engagement Projects | Downtown Wooster. Credit: Janet Welty Earlier this week, we announced the recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization , which will provide eight Accredited Main Street America Programs $10,000 each to help fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of COVID-19. We wanted to give you the details on these creative responses to the effects of the pandemic so you can implement similar programs in your community. Keep reading to find out about how one Main Street community plans to use community engagement to support ...
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Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Technology and Online Platform Projects

May 20, 2020 | Innovation Lab: Tips for Implementing Technology and Online Platform Projects |  Left: New Bern, NC, Courtesy Swiss Bear, Inc.; Right: Downtown Niles, Courtesy Niles Main Street Earlier this week, we announced the recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization , which will provide eight Accredited Main Street America Programs $10,000 each to help fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of COVID-19. We wanted to give you the details on these creative responses to the effects of the pandemic so you can implement similar programs in your community. Keep reading to find out ...
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COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates

May 20, 2020 | COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates |  The COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series provides Main Street programs with the latest resources and information on how to navigate the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19. All webinars are free and recorded for your convenience. JUST ANNOUNCED:  Main Street America / UrbanMain: Restaurants in Recovery Tuesday, June 2 at 12:00pm EDT As restaurants look to reemerge from COVID-19 related closure, they'll need assistance and support from Main Street programs to manage the impacts and adjust to new operating realities. Join this webinar presented by Streetsense for an in-depth ...
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COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Roundup: Downtown Loyalty Campaigns & Face Masks for Merchants

May 20, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Roundup: Downtown Loyalty Campaigns and Face Masks for Merchants | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |  Photo credit (left to right): Olympia  Downtown Alliance, Crawfordsville Main Street, and Bent Tree Coffee Roasters in Main Street Kent The COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic and during the recovery process. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of related resources, please visit our Main Street Forward COVID-19 ...
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Announcing the Recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization

May 19, 2020 | Announcing the Recipients of the Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization | We are thrilled to announce the recipients of The Grills Fund for Main Street Revitalization, a grant program that will provide eight Accredited Main Street America Programs $10,000 each to help fund innovative revitalization efforts to address the current and/or legacy impacts of COVID-19.  “These winning ideas represent the ingenuity, resiliency, and entrepreneurial thinking that have made Main Street a powerful tool for revitalization and will be vital to economic recovery moving forward,” said Main Street America’s President and CEO Patrice Frey. “These programs ...
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Announcing Main Street Forward: A Roadmap for Recovery

May 18, 2020 | Announcing Main Street Forward: A Roadmap for Recovery | Dear Main Street America Network, Today marks what would have been the first day of the 2020 Main Street Now Conference in Dallas. We would have soon been gathering together for the always celebratory opening plenary, buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the week ahead. Instead we find ourselves in a very different atmosphere, each in our respective communities doing all we can to help our Main Streets through this uncertain time. While we are disappointed won’t be able to connect with you in person this year, we at Main Street America are committed to supporting you through ...
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COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates

May 15, 2020 | COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates |  The COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series provides Main Street programs with the latest resources and information on how to navigate the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19. All webinars are free and recorded for your convenience. JUST ANNOUNCED: State of the Event Industry Wednesday, May 20 at 1pm ET  As the event industry has entered into uncharted territory during these uncertain times, it has become apparent that many events–especially those being run by volunteers and small staff–need guidance on what to expect and how to handle issues that are rising from cancellations ...
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Main Spotlight: Recovery and Revitalization Depend on Understanding Human Psyche

May 12, 2020 | Main Spotlight: Recovery and Revitalization Depend on Understanding Human Psyche | By: Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., Vice President of Revitalization Programs, NMSC |  Downtowns and urban commercial districts across the U.S. won’t recover from the economic impacts of the global pandemic simply by way of government proclamations to reopen or a marketing campaign to bring customers back downtown. A return to bricks-and-mortar shopping and other downtown activities, such as getting a haircut, participating in a fitness class, eating in a restaurant, and attending a special event, will greatly depend on the ability to understand, influence, and comfort the ...
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COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: More Marquee Messages

May 8, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: More Marquee Messages | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |  Photo credit: Downtown SLO, NMSC, & Historic Valley Junction Foundation The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage . Today's edition of the COVID-19 Community ...
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COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Customer Counters & Colorful Pathways

May 8, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Customer Counters & Colorful Pathways | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |  Photo credit (left to right): Downtown Ferndale, Main Street Collierville, & Downtown Ferndale The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic and during the recovery process. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage. Social-Distance-Friendly Dining. Mills 50 District ...
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Community Spotlight: Main Street Kudos

May 7, 2020 | Community Spotlight: Main Street Kudos | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC | During these unprecedented times, people all over the country are working tirelessly to support Main Streets and downtowns. We wanted to highlight these volunteers—the neighbors, Main Street staff, and others—who spread joy and support for our communities. Through our Main Street Kudos form , Main Street programs from around the nation have shared stories of individuals and local businesses in their community who went above and beyond to support neighbors. We’ve been sharing these stories throughout the month on our social media channels, and present ...
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COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates

May 6, 2020 | COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series Updates |  The COVID-19 & Main Street Webinar Series provides Main Street programs with the latest resources and information on how to navigate the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19. All webinars are free and recorded for your convenience. JUST ANNOUNCED: Connect with Customers and Manage Your Business Remotely Tuesday, May 12 at 12pm ET Join Main Street America in partnership with Grow With Google to discover Google tools that can help you work and manage your business during this time of uncertainty. Learn how to update critical business information online, keep your customers ...
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We Are Main Street: Celebrating Preservationists

May 5, 2020 | We Are Main Street: Celebrating Preservationists | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |  Photo credit: Main Street Georgetown Our We Are Main Street campaign is a year-long celebration of the people who make Main Streets shine. No time is more in need of celebrating that shine than now through the gloom of this pandemic. In honor of Preservation Month, please join us in showcasing the people in your community that are working to preserve the spaces, cultural assets, and buildings that capture the history of your downtown district. Now, perhaps more than ever, these places become our touchstones: reminders of who we are, ...
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COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Virtual Cash Mobs & Remote Farmers Markets

April 30, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Virtual Cash Mobs & Remote Farmers Markets | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC | Examples of the May Flower Initiative from Downtown SLO in the windows of the San Luis Obispo Visitor Center, the Black Sheep Bar and Grill, and the Sock Drawer. (Photo credit: Downtown SLO) The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection ...
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Reopening Safely: Helpful Tips for Community Leaders and Small Business Owners

April 30, 2020 | Reopening Safely: Helpful Tips for Community Leaders and Small Business Owners | By: Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., Vice President of Revitalization Programs, NMSC| As states begin to open their economies across the nation, small business owners will first and foremost need to look to both local and state guidelines as they determine how to reopen safely. At the same time, they will need to recognize changes in consumer psyche that may shift shopping habits and perceptions of safe shopping requiring them to adjust basic operations. This will undoubtedly be a complicated process to navigate for small businesses, as well as for community leaders ...
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