This article reads like a directory. (September 2018) |
Main Street America's local Main Street programs aim to revitalize downtowns and commercial districts through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. The "Main Street Project"[1] was begun in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a pilot involving 3 towns: Galesburg, Illinois; Madison, Indiana; and Hot Springs, South Dakota.[2] Based on the success in those three towns, a pilot project followed in six states: Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.[3]
Since then, Main Street America has expanded the program to many other towns. These may be statewide or regional "coordinating programs" or "local programs." Programs determined to be "Designated" follow best-practices established by the National Main Street Center and/or statewide or regional coordinating programs.[4] One requirement of being a "Designated" program is to appoint a full-time staff member, often called a main street manager.
In 2020, there were 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs and 44 Coordinating Programs.[5]