Services & Trainings

Trainings and Services

We offer a wide array of services and trainings to participating Illinois Main Street communities. Each Illinois Main Street community receives a combination of training and technical assistance to advance their revitalization efforts.

This includes one on-site technical assistance visit per year with commercial revitalization experts. Topics include, but are not limited to:

Organizational Development Services – services to advise communities on how to create and sustain their Main Street organization.
Board Member, Staff, and Committee Training – training for staff and volunteers to understand the Main Street Approach™, their roles and responsibilities, and techniques and best practices for revitalizing downtown.
Business Development Assistance – training in understanding the downtown’s economic strengths and weaknesses, development of plans and strategies to improve the downtown business climate.
Promotion and Marketing Assistance – training services to help local Main Street organizations identify and implement effective marketing strategies, as well as individual downtown promotional events and activities.
Design Services – support to the Main Street program to create a walkable, livable environment, including trail-oriented development, transportation planning, façade and streetscape improvements, and accessibility enhancements.
Planning Assistance – services to develop short-term action plans for the Main Street organization, as well as long-term plans that guide the development and revitalization of the Main Street district.

In addition, Illinois Main Street members participate in one program review visit annually, receive phone consultation and coaching as needed, and access all the benefits of membership with Main Street America, which includes:

Discounts on conferences, workshops, and webinars;
Members-only printed and digital communications;
1000s of industry-specific resources, publications, and templates;
Access to grants and special programs;
And so much more!

Interested in learning more about the program? Contact us at illinoismainstreet@savingplaces.org.

Upcoming Workshop

Elevate on Main: In-Person Workshop - Inspiring Community Leadership
When: Thursday, June 16 from 10 am – 3 pm
Location: Quincy Brewing Company - 110 N. 6th Street - Quincy, IL 62301

Learn more and register here.

Recent Workshop

Our recent in-person workshop--Elevate on Main--was held on Tuesday, February 15 in Pontiac, Illinois. Download session materials below!

Success Isn't Guaranteed | Download Presentation

Speakers: Bob Karls, City Administrator Liz Vincent, Tourism Director

A look at Pontiac's rise and fall as a Main Street community and the partnerships formed to fill the void left behind.

Navigating Main Streets as Place | Download Presentation

Speakers: Travis Brown, Chief Business Development Officer, The Relish Jar

Exploring trends and tactics to make your Main Street a destination. We’ll explore ways to define your place and make it unique, and how to share that story with everyone in your community.

Partnering with Your DCEO Regional Manager | Download Presentation

Speakers: Lauren Gibson, AICP, Regional Economic Development Manager – North Central Region, Office of Regional Economic Development, Illinois DCEO

The benefits of working with your Regional Economic Development Manager. Resources available to communities and small businesses.

About Us

IMS works with communities across the state to revitalize downtowns and commercial districts.

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The Approach

The Main Street Approach is a time-tested framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization.

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Contact Us

Have a question or interested in learning more? Please contact us - we are here to help!

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