News and Stories

New on Main Street Business Insights: Keith McDonald Plumbing

September 20, 2023 | New on Main Street Business Insights: Keith McDonald Plumbing | By: Liz Shenk, Manager of Marketing & Outreach | In this episode of Main Street Business Insights , host Matt Wagner sat down with the CEO of Keith McDonald Plumbing in Milledgeville, Ga., Lindsay Goodson McDonald. In their conversation, Lindsay discusses her path to small business ownership. Lindsay began her work in plumbing in 2009. After losing her job in Athens, Ga. during the national recession, she moved back home to Milledgeville to help her father with the family business. At the time, Lindsay said, “I totally hated it. Hate’s not even ...

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Program Spotlight: WeShopSC is Open for (Small) Business

September 21, 2023 | Program Spotlight: WeShopSC is Open for (Small) Business | By: Jenny Boulware, Manager and State Coordinator for Main Street South Carolina | Main Street SC staff visiting Johnny and June Boutique in Gaffney, SC. Photo courtesy of Main Street SC. Over the past fifteen months, Main Street South Carolina has been working behind the scenes, alongside its local Main Street communities, to test and pilot a statewide e-commerce marketplace. In August, WeShopSC was officially introduced as the state’s only and largest collection of small businesses. WeShopSC has been designed to support small business owners from the most basic start ...

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Deadline Extended: 2024 Main Street Now Conference Call for Proposals

Image: Speakers presenting at the Main Street Now conference. Just announced: we've extended the submission deadline for our call for session proposals for the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Whether you are already working on a proposal or have a great idea for one, make sure to submit it by Friday, October 6, 2023. Learn More & Submit Your Proposal > Along with our co-host partners at Main Street Alabama, we invite proposals for educational sessions on perennial downtown and commercial district management topics guided by the  Main Street Approach , as well as in three thematic areas :  - Welcoming ...

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Main Spotlight: Exploring the 2023 Summer Intern Projects

September 19, 2023 | Main Spotlight: Exploring the Summer Intern Projects | By: Marta Olmos, Associate Manager of Content and Communications | This summer, Main Street America was fortunate to work with three wonderful interns. Majd Alsaif joined the Research team as the Downtown Buildings and Vacancy Intern, Leilani Commons served as the Government Relations Intern, and Celeste Constancio joined the Communications department as the Digital Marketing Intern. We are excited to share the results of their projects. Majd Alsaif, Downtown Buildings and Vacancy Intern Vacant and underutilized buildings have huge potential to be reused and reinvigorate ...

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Thriving Communities Program FY23 Program: Hands-on capacity building support for infrastructure projects

September 18, 2023 | Thriving Communities Program FY23 Program: Hands-on capacity building support for infrastructure projects | By: Kelly Humrichouser, Director of Government Relations | On September 12, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the FY23 Thriving Communities Program . This program provides capacity building support to local communities through capacity-building organizations. We encourage you to learn more about the program, determine your community’s interest, and apply by November 28, 2023. Communities across the country are seeking to leverage new and existing federal programs to ...

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Community Spotlight: Flood Recovery in Barre and Montpelier, Vermont

September 13, 2023 | Community Spotlight: Flood Recovery in Barre and Montpelier, Vermont | By: Kathy La Plante, Senior Director of Coordinating Programs | Left: Kathy La Plante, Anne Ball, Abby Furrey, Traci Lewis, and Gary Holloway. Photo by Tripp Muldrow. Right: Contractors work on repairing a downtown business in Montpelier. Photo by Kathy La Plante. Last week, I traveled to Montpelier and Barre, Vermont, with Anne Ball (Program Director at Maine Downtown Center ), Abby Furrey (Coordinator at Boston Main Streets ), Traci Lewis (Executive Director at Barre Downtown Partnership ) and Gary Holloway (Downtown Program Manager at ...

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Due Soon: 2024 Main Street Now Conference Session Proposals

Image: Speakers presenting at the Main Street Now conference. Join hundreds of community leaders, Main Street directors, and economic development thought partners from around the nation at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, from May 6-8. Deepen your conference experience by submitting a session proposal. If you've thought about answering our call for proposals, now is the time to act! Get started or put the finishing touches on your brilliant proposal now, and make sure to submit it by September 22, 2023. Along with our co-host partners at Main Street Alabama, we invite proposals for educational sessions on perennial ...

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Community Spotlight: Downtown Wytheville Meets Downtown Florence

September 7, 2023 | Community Spotlight: Downtown Wytheville Meets Downtown Florence | By: Todd Wolford, Executive Director at Downtown Wytheville, Inc | Shop Small at Town Hall & The Dispensary. Photo from Downtown Florence Main Street. Celebrating the streetscape improvement project. Photo from Downtown Wytheville, Inc. Across the Main Street Movement, organizations are always looking for a good grant. While attending the 2023 Main Street Now Conference in Boston, we learned about the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund . This scholarship fund enables organizations to travel to other communities to learn and share ideas for best ...

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Green Bank for Rural America

September 6, 2023 | New Green Bank for Rural America | By: Patrice Frey, Main Street America Senior Advisor | Join Appalachian Community Capital and Main Street America for a webinar on Monday, September 11, to learn more about our work to grow the next-generation energy economy in rural America. Register for one of the two sessions below. CDFIs, Lenders, and Investors September 11 at 1:00 ET / 12:00 CT / 11:00 MT / 10:00 PT Register > Non-profits and Community-Based Organizations September 11 at 2:00 ET / 1:00 / CT / 12:00 MT / 11:00 PT Register > Appalachian ...

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Main Spotlight: Getting Ready for the Unexpected with the Main Street Disaster Preparedness Toolkit

September 5, 2023 | Main Spotlight: Getting Ready for the Unexpected with the Main Street Disaster Preparedness Toolkit | By: Manuel T Ochoa, AICP, Principal & Founder, Ochoa Urban Collaborative, and Consultant on the National Park Service Main Street Community Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Program | Hurricane Idalia storm surge in St. Petersburg, Florida at Flora Wylie Park. Photo by Adog. Main Takeaways Natural disasters are increasing across the country and around the world. These events pose a serious threat to downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. There are steps that you can take now to mitigate ...

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Community Spotlight: East Somerville Main Streets Block Party

August 31, 2023 | Community Spotlight: East Somerville Main Streets Block Party | By: Lindsay Allen, Executive Director at East Somerville Main Streets | Attendees enjoying the block party. Photos by Devon Moos Photography . This summer, East Somerville Main Streets is piloting a three-part Block Party event series. Each block party features different small businesses from our commercial district. Highlighted here is the second block party featuring restaurants Rincon Mexicano , Michette , and local brewery, Small Change Brewing . We also welcomed the neighborhood's newest print studio, New Impressions Print Studio , local honey ...

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Main Spotlight: How Main Streets Can Preserve Historic Neon Signs

August 29, 2023 | Main Spotlight: How Main Streets Can Preserve Historic Neon Signs | By Jeremy Ebersole, Board of Directors, Society for Commercial Archeology | Portland, Oregon’s White Stag sign is the icon of the city, featured on everything from tourism maps to t-shirts. Photo credit: The Monumentous . Main Takeaways Historic neon signs provide character and enhance the sense of place in a community. These signs face significant preservation challenges including lack of resources and restrictive sign codes. Main Streets can be key allies in advocating for and protecting historic neon signs. ...

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Community Spotlight: Cajun Linen Night with Thibodaux Main Street

August 24, 2023 | Community Spotlight: Cajun Linen Night with Thibodaux Main Street | Vendors at pop-up booths show off their crafts. A couple tries their hand at making pottery on a wheel Photos by Abbigail LaCombe Photography. Cajun Linen Night is Thibodaux Main Street's spin on New Orleans's White Linen Night: a celebration of the long, lazy days of summer—Cajun style! They invite local vendors of handmade items to display pop-up shops at downtown businesses for an evening of extended hours and encourage guests to dress cool and comfy or come decked out in their best Cajun-inspired ensemble. The Cajun Music Preservation Society, a local organization ...

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Informational Webinar: HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program

The HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program informational webinar will take place on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Informational Webinar: HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program Thursday, September 7 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT The creation of affordable downtown rental units fills an urgent need for small and rural communities. New residential Main Street development strengthens small businesses, bolsters the local economy, and renews vibrancy. The HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides grants to communities with populations smaller than 50,000 to assist in the renovation of ...

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Main Spotlight: 7 Unique Main Street Business Concepts

August 22, 2023 | Main Spotlight: Main Spotlight: 7 Unique Main Street Business Concepts | By: Marta Olmos, Communications Coordinator at Main Street America | The BYTE Shop in Boston, Mass. Photo courtesy of JP Centre/South Main Streets. While we often associate Main Streets with quintessential shops and stores—such as indie bookstores and cute cafes—many districts are also home to a wide variety of unique, innovative, and fun small business concepts. We asked our members to share some of the coolest businesses located in their Main Street districts. Which of these 7 businesses would you visit? Monsters on Main The cuddliest monsters ...

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Registration Now Open: Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street Online Course

The Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street course is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2023. Elevate Your Approach to Foster Entrepreneurship and Retain Businesses in Your District The Main Street America Institute is excited to offer the Supporting Small Businesses on Main Street course! Generously sponsored by U.S. Bank, this three-week live, online course will prepare local leaders to more effectively work with small business owners in their districts and create an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurship. Member discounts and registration scholarships are available! Register Today! > Details ...

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Main Spotlight: Introducing the Main Street Business Insights Podcast

August 16, 2023 | Main Spotlight: Introducing the Main Street Business Insights Podcast | By: Liz Shenk, Manager of Marketing & Outreach at Main Street America | Today, we are thrilled to release the first episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast hosted by Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner. Every Wednesday, tune into Matt's conversations with Main Street and neighborhood entrepreneurs from around the country. Every episode will explore a different business owner’s journey into entrepreneurship, offering their personal perspectives, lessons learned, and wisdom on operating and succeeding along Main Street. ...

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Submit a Session Proposal: 2024 Main Street Now Conference

Image: Speakers presenting at the Main Street Now conference. Join hundreds of community leaders, Main Street directors, and economic development thought partners from around the nation at the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, from May 6-8. Deepen your conference experience by submitting a session proposal. Start planning your proposal now and share your brilliant ideas by the submission deadline on September 22, 2023! Along with our co-host partners at Main Street Alabama, we invite proposals for educational sessions on perennial downtown and commercial district management topics guided by the Main Street Approach , as ...

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Community Spotlight: NewTown Macon Hype Hounds

August 10, 2023 | Community Spotlight: NewTown Macon Hype Hounds | By: Hailie Poppell, Digital Content Manager at NewTown Macon | NewTown Macon is excited to introduce Hype Hounds, a heartwarming program designed to elevate Downtown Macon as the ultimate dog-friendly destination with the invaluable help of our furry ambassadors! This initiative brings together dog lovers and their adorable pups to showcase the multitude of dog-friendly businesses, restaurants, and bars that add to the magic of Downtown Macon. Hype Hound members proudly post their dogs enjoying various downtown activities while sporting the distinctive Hype Hounds bandana 1 to 2 times ...

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Last Chance: Register for 2023 Community Transformation Workshop Today!

August 9, 2023 | Last Chance: Register for 2023 Community Transformation Workshop Today! | Gain Tools to Address Complex Revitalization Scenarios with our Community Transformation Workshop Join Main Street America experts in Vancouver, Wash., to gain first-hand experience in harnessing transformation strategies to successfully revitalize your Main Street! An essential component of the Main Street America Institute curriculum, the Community Transformation Workshop is an intensive and interactive two-day experience filled with educational sessions and exercises aimed to provide participants with advanced tools and strategies to address complex ...

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