Our Strategic Plan

Community-driven — Our model is based on grassroots community leadership and buy-in. We are committed to centering on the people who power local economies and lifting up the voices of residents and stakeholders.

Collaboration & Partnership — We believe effective and lasting change happens through meaningful partnerships and intentional collaboration with an engaged network of stakeholders.

Equitable & Inclusive — At the core of our approach to revitalization is a commitment to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement. We are dedicated to advancing a deeper understanding of and action around anti-racism as an organization and a network.

Resilient & Future-focused — Central to our mission is helping communities take advantage of resources and opportunities that will help them better withstand crises and shocks that lay ahead (e.g. climate change, economic shifts, and social challenges.)

Community Preservation-based — We are committed to building on the past of our built environment and cultural legacy. We do this by promoting adaptive reuse, celebrating community character, and honoring the cultural diversity of communities.

Support Small for Greater Impact — We believe that supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and small-scale development builds community wealth and creates meaningful investment in communities.

Center Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Our Work

We believe that in order to fully deliver on our mission, we must commit to advancing DEIA in all our work, internally as an organization, as well as externally through the Main Street network and our varied partnerships. This involves recognizing where we have fallen short in the past, identifying where there is greatest potential to ​‘move the needle’ through collaboration, and putting strategies in place to enhance our own capacity and the capacity of those we serve to take on the important work of advancing DEIA on Main Streets.

Be a Leading Voice and Advocate for Place-based Economic Development and Community Preservation

Main Street is one of the most powerful local economic development tools available to communities. And, when taken to its full potential, it is at the cutting edge of the preservation field, centering people and place at the core of what it means to ​‘preserve.’ Through this objective, our charge is to raise the visibility of this critical work nationally through enhanced thought leadership and advocacy.

Continuously Assess, Adapt, and Innovate on the Main Street Framework

Main Street operates at the nexus of a wide range of economic, social, geographic, and cultural factors that impact the way we work, from rapidly changing technologies to evolving workforce dynamics to shifting consumer trends, and more. To stay relevant, the Main Street framework must evolve and adapt to withstand and anticipate what changes may be on the horizon. Work in this area will be forward-looking and help keep our work at the forefront of community economic development.

Grow a Broader and More Inclusive Main Street Movement

The Main Street movement represents a vast and diverse set of partners, organizations, and local leaders dedicated to improving quality of life and economic outcomes in their communities. We are committed to continuing to grow this movement and invest resources, time, and capacity in reaching communities and partners in new locales who can help broaden our horizons. This means increasing our capacity to support work in non-English speaking communities, ​“non-traditional” districts, and expanding our portfolio of partners across the country.

Grow and Diversify Sustainable Funding and Organizational Base to Support Mission and Maximize Impact

In order to thrive and advance our mission in the years to come, Main Street America must invest in the fundamentals to create a strong foundation upon which to grow: highly effective internal operations, strong support for staff development, and a diversified and growing financial base.

Build Capacity and Provide Resources for Coordinating Programs, Local Leaders, and Other Partners 

For 40+ years, the Main Street program has been powered by a nationwide network of partners and leaders committed to our common cause. Through this objective, we are re-committing to investing in that network, listening and learning about where there is the most need, and establishing collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with partners to deliver value.