the MainStreet Approach

Inside a shop with wooden shelves displaying product bags and jars, customers browsing near a window decorated with colorful artwork and seasonal decorations.

Empowering Local Change Through the Main Street Approach

The Main Street Approach is a comprehensive, community-driven revitalization strategy that empowers local stakeholders to enhance the unique character of their historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

4 key pillars

Rooted in preservation and economic development, this proven framework focuses on four key pillars - Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality - to guide transformation in a way that reflects the community’s unique identity.

  • Organizational chart with one box at the top connected to three boxes below.

    Organization

  • Outline icon of a loudspeaker with sound waves

    promotion

  • Icon of a pen with editing control points and handles, representing graphic design or digital editing.

    Design

  • Line graph showing growth with bars increasing in height and an upward arrow.

    Economic Vitality

A woman with glasses and gray hair, smiling, stands behind a coffee station at a festive holiday event, wearing a blue vest and plaid shirt.

reinvigorating the heart of the community

By fostering partnerships among local government, businesses, and residents, the Main Street Approach nurtures sustainable growth, supports small businesses, enhances architectural and cultural heritage, and creates vibrant, walkable districts where people want to live, work, and gather. It’s not just about restoring buildings—it’s about reinvigorating the heart of the community.