Main Street America: See the Benefits of a Main Street Approach!
Main Street America
May 2025: While researching several of the towns we have explored, I occasionally see a reference to a “Main Street America” Program. Curious, with a little research help from AI and Google, I decided it was time to learn more about this program!
Does Main Street America program help small towns create vibrancy? We have noticed a trend that the most vibrant small towns are often working within one or more economic development frameworks. From our experience during our visits, the Main Street Approach appears to be making a positive difference to these communities and their historic downtowns!
Main Street America Program – A Brief History
The Main Street America program is a movement dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation. It provides a framework called the “Main Street Approach” to guide local revitalization efforts. This approach focuses on four key areas: Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Vitality.
How did the National Program get started?
The Main Street Project began in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Based on the success of initial pilot programs, the Trust formally established the National Main Street Center in 1980 to expand and deliver the Main Street Approach nationwide. In 2013, the Main Street program became an independent subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, operating as Main Street America.
How does the National Program support local communities?
“Main Street Approach” Supports local communities in the following ways:
- Facilitating networking and collaboration: The National Main Street America Program connects local programs with a national network of peers, fostering the exchange of ideas and successful strategies.
- Providing a proven framework: The Main Street Approach offers a comprehensive and adaptable strategy for downtown and commercial district revitalization.
- Offering resources and expertise: Main Street America provides access to a wealth of knowledge, best practices, training, and technical assistance through its network and staff.
- Advocating for policies and funding: Main Street America works at the local, state, and federal levels to promote policies and secure resources that support Main Street communities.
- Driving economic reinvestment: By focusing on preservation-based economic development, the program helps generate local reinvestment, rehabilitate historic buildings, create jobs, and start new businesses.
- Enhancing quality of life: Successful Main Street programs contribute to a stronger sense of place, more vibrant public spaces, and an improved quality of life for residents.
How is the National Program Funded?
Main Street America is funded through a variety of sources, including:
- Membership dues: Local Main Street programs and coordinating programs pay membership dues to be part of the network.
- Grants and partnerships: The organization receives funding from various foundations, corporations, and government agencies for specific initiatives and programs.
- Earned revenue: Main Street America generates income through conferences, workshops, training programs, and publications.
- Philanthropic support: Main Street America’s philanthropic efforts are supported by various corporate sponsors with community-based programs.
small town vibe
Main Street Programs at the State and Local Levels
Learn more about the state level Main Street program, and some of the small towns that benefit!
Main Street America operates through a network of coordinating programs at the state, regional, and city levels. These coordinating programs provide support and training to local Main Street communities.
Coordinating State Programs
The presence and structure of state programs can vary. Some programs are housed within state government agencies (like Colorado’s within the Department of Local Affairs or DOLA), while others operate as independent non-profit organizations that partner with Main Street America.
A relatively complete list of Main Street American towns in each state can be found at: List of Main Street Programs in the United States – Wikipedia
A map of communities can be found at: Main Street Communities | Main Street America
Below are examples of State Main Street Programs in the states we have visited in our Small Town Vibe blog!
Colorado
Early adopter of the “Main Street Approach”
After a successful pilot program for the “Main Street Project” concluded in 1979, Colorado was one of the first six states selected for an inaugural statewide coordinating program. At the time of founding the Gates Foundation gave $100,000 to underwrite free design services in Main Street communities. Today, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs serves the statewide coordinating program. In Colorado, there are Designated, Candidate, Graduate, and Affiliate communities.
Official Main Street Communities in Colorado that we have written about in our Small Town Vibe blog:
- Elizabeth, CO: Historic downtown with big hats, mini donuts, and so much more!
- Lyons, CO: Our 5 Favorite Discoveries amidst the Red Sandstone! – Small Town Vibe
- Ridgway, CO: The Town that Refused to Die – evidence of “True Grit”! – Small Town Vibe
- Ouray, CO: See why this town is called Switzerland of America! – Small Town Vibe
- Rifle, CO: Our top 5 Reasons to visit this vibrant downtown! – Small Town Vibe
- San Luis, CO: 9 Reasons to make a Pilgrimage to this Small Town! – Small Town Vibe
- Trinidad, CO: 6 Fun ways to experience a Downtown Transformation – Small Town Vibe
- Victor, CO: 6 Cool Walkable Ways to Experience Gold Mining History
New Mexico Main Street
A Program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated local organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving cultural and historic resources. New Mexico MainStreet uses a community asset-based approach to economic development in partnership with local revitalization organizations to rebuild the local downtown economy.
The program’s core objective is downtown revitalization and redevelopment and the mission is to develop local capacity to engage people, rebuild places and revitalize economies resulting in economically thriving downtowns, greater business and employment opportunities and a higher quality of life.
Official Main Street Communities in New Mexico that we have written about in our Small Town Vibe blog:
- Gallup, NM: 5 Amazing ways to explore History, Nature and Native American Culture – Small Town Vibe
- Grants, NM: 5 reasons to stop and refresh at this Route 66 town! – Small Town Vibe
- Raton, NM: historic downtown with ale, coffee, and big plans ***2025 Great American Main Street Award Winner!***
- Truth or Consequences, NM: eclectic downtown with a microbrewery and lots of mural art
Arizona
The Arizona Downtown Alliance is a non-profit within the AZ Preservation Foundation
The Arizona Downtown Alliance was started in 1984 to encourage the redevelopment and improvement of downtowns in Arizona. The first ever statewide historic preservation conference, “A Sense of Place” was held June 2003 with support from the Arizona Main Street Program. Around 2008 the Main Street Program was housed under the Arizona Department of Commerce. Today the Arizona Downtown Alliance is a program of the Arizona Preservation Foundation.
Official Main Street Communities in Arizona that we have written about in our Small Town Vibe blog:
- Williams, AZ: Our top 5 favorite things after visiting the Grand Canyon! – Small Town Vibe
- Sedona, AZ: We skipped the usual tourist options to do this amazing City Hike!
Utah
Utah Main Street recently moved to the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement
The Utah Main Street Program initially ran from 1996-2006 and was then piloted from 2019-2021 with Brigham City and Price. During the 2021 Legislative session, S.B 94 created Utah Main Street within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (now known as Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity), then to the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement.
Oregon
Main Street is part of the State Historic Preservation Office as one of the ‘Designate’ programs
The Oregon Main Street Program exists to help communities wherever they are in their downtown revitalization efforts. The program recognizes three levels of designation in Oregon: Performing Main Street, Transforming Downtown, and Exploring Downtown. Today there are 64 Main Street programs in Oregon.
A “Transforming Downtown” Main Street Community in Oregon that we have written about in our Small Town Vibe blog:
Washington
The Main Street program is managed (under contract) by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, a statewide non-profit organization.
Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Four-Point Approach®. Learn more about their Main Street Approach HERE.
The Main Street Communities in Washington that we have written about in our Small Town Vibe blog:
- Duvall, WA: making the most of small town charm with access to big city amenities
- Carnation, WA: charming small town with easy metro access
North Dakota
Not formerly part of the Main Street America program…
However, the Main Street ND Initiative (link to pdf of program description) helps communities to capitalize on strengths and make sound planning decisions. The goal is to create vibrant cities that attract and retain a 21st century workforce to help North Dakota compete and succeed.
