Speak Up for Main Street

Speak up for Main Street

COVID-19 Main Street Resources

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We Need Your Voice

Main Street’s businesses are facing a crisis like no other, and they need the support offered by local Main Street programs now more than ever. That’s why Main Street America is advocating to Congress for $100M to be included in an upcoming stimulus to sustain and expand the essential work of Main Street leaders in every corner of the country.  

For many Main Streets, there isn’t likely to be a speedy “return to normal” as stay-at-home orders lift; consumers are likely to continue to have fears about safely dinning, shopping, and making use of professional services. That means small businesses will need the hyperlocal support system offered by Main Street programs more than at any point previously to sustain themselves over the next 12 to 24 months. As trusted advocates with deep knowledge about the local business landscape and partners, Main Street directors are uniquely able to connect businesses to the resources they need, and broker creative solutions to get through the coming months. Employing a holistic approach, Main Street programs are a sustainable, street-level solution to reviving the heart of communities.

Specifically, we are advocating for:

Support for Main Street Coordinating programs ($75 million); a federal match program will provide $1 for every $1 invested by state and local governments in their state-, county-, or city-wide Main Street program up to $1.5 million per state or locality. Funding will support Main Street Coordinating programs and may be used for training and technical assistance to local entities and direct grants to local entities to support operations or professional development. The match requirement may be waived or reduced based on a state or locality’s financial condition. Matching funds may also be used to launch Main Street coordinating programs in the states, tribal territories, and other U.S. territories that currently lack an established program.

Direct Support of Main Street Businesses ($25 million) to revitalize companies through direct support, facilitated by local Main Street programs, to small businesses transitioning operations to align with needs resulting from COVID-19, including online retailing, marketing, and implementing social distancing guidelines.

Get Connected

Advocacy efforts are underway with representatives from each state, county, and citywide coordinating program to deliver our message in a targeted way to Congressional leaders. But we will need your help.  As our efforts grow and develop, we will be asking for all of the Main Street America Network to reach out to support advocacy at the federal and coordinating program level. The first step in these efforts is ensuring that we can connect with you directly as needed for targeted and broad action. Click here to add your name to our individual outreach list.

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Tools and Resources

The Main Street America network holds incredible power with connections to key stakeholders at every level of decision-making. We know so many of you are already deeply engaged in advocacy for your program. Whether you’re taking a first step or reinforcing a steady stream of messaging, we want to provide you more tools and resources to enhance your advocacy work.

  • Advocacy in Focus Webinar Series: Join us for our free Advocacy in Focus training webinar series. Main Street America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are teaming up to provide a 5-part training online series to our network. These sessions begin live on July 7, but will be recorded and available to all. Learn more.
  • Main Street America Op-Ed Project: Local media is a key venue for your advocacy message, and Main Street America is pleased to help in the writing of an op-ed for placement. Once you have identified an outlet and pitched for placement, please complete this form to request an op-ed from Main Street America.
  • Talking Points: To buttress your current messaging, Main Street America suggests these talking points to help convey the value of Main Street programs, specifically related to COVID-19 crisis and recovery.

Stay tuned to Main Street America communications and share your local advocacy tools and successes with us. If you have immediate questions, please email us.

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