Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of State of Main

 

By National Main Street Center | From Main Street Story of the Week | December 9, 2016 | 

 

Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America! Serving as both an annual report and an industry journal, State of Main provides a detailed look back on all that we have accomplished together this year, as well as a platform to explore cutting edge ideas and trends in the commercial district revitalization field.

First and foremost, this is a publication that celebrates the Main Street America Network. We kick off State of Mainwith a Year in Review—a detailed look at who our members are, where they are, and what they have accomplished. The power of Main Street is undeniable. With $65.6 billion total dollars reinvested since 1980, the cumulative success of the Main Street Approach and local Main Street America programs proves Main Street continues to be a powerful economic force that is stronger than ever before.

This publication also provides a place to reflect on where we are as an organization, and where we are headed as a movement. Just over three years have passed since the National Main Street Center (NMSC) launched as an independent nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and we’ve covered a lot of ground during that time. With the launch of several new programs and resources, we hope you see your ideas and feedback reflected in our Center Update section, as we evolve to better serve the needs of the network.

Finally, we hope that the State of Main helps you bring your work to the next level in the year ahead. That is why the second half of the publication is dedicated to presenting ideas and research that will that we see playing a vital role in our field going forward. From Downtowns Matter, NMSC Board Chair Ed T. McMahon’s piece that explores the critical components of successful communities, to the article by Hannah White and Norma Ramirez de Miess that provides a closer look at how Main Streets are building more inclusive communities, to a fascinating look at the comeback of manufacturing on Main Street by Matt Wagner, and so much more, we think you’ll not only find inspiration but valuable tools and techniques to use in your community.

As we close out 2016, we hope that State of Main allows you to slow down and reflect on where we’ve been as a movement, while also motivating you in the year ahead to keep the momentum going and push the needle forward.

The electronic version of State of Main is available to both members and non-members of the National Main Street Center. Members of the National Main Street Center will receive a hard copy of State of Main in mid-December. Not a member? Learn more and join today.

 

View Link