- MAIN STREET AMERICA
Main Street was established as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 to address the issues facing older and historic downtowns. Working with a nationwide network of coordinating programs and local communities, Main Street has helped over 2,000 communities across the country bring economic vitality back downtown while celebrating their historic character and bringing communities together.
An exciting new chapter for the organization began on July 1, 2013, when the Main Street program launched as an independent National Trust for Historic Preservation subsidiary. This transition enables Main Street to build on its three-decade record of success with new leadership and new resources that will help communities respond to evolving needs and opportunities in the commercial district revitalization field.
In 2015, the Center launched a new program brand for the network of Main Street programs – Main Street America™ – to reinvigorate our collective look, feel, and strategy and position Main Street as a leader locally, regionally, and nationally. Main Street America is based in Chicago, Illinois, with an office in Washington, DC, and field staff throughout the country.
(Source: Modified from Main Street America, 2024)
- INDIANA MAIN STREET
Since 1985, the Indiana Main Street Program (IMS) has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the National Main Street Center’s successful Main Street Approach. Using local resources and initiatives, the state program helps communities develop and supports their strategies to stimulate long-term economic growth and pride in the heart of the communities’ downtown or commercial core. In 2005, the IMS Program transitioned to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, where it is currently managed. IMS provides access to information, help getting focused, and community support and guidance to individuals and organizations interested in downtown revitalization. It also serves as a general clearinghouse for downtown development’s latest tools and techniques. General information, project development assistance information, and other resource materials are available. The state program is a partner, but true revitalization success is built squarely on local commitment, initiative, and follow-through. The Indiana Main Street program support of its designated local IMS programs has resulted in significant investment and economic
growth from the bottom-up in Main Street districts. Since 1985, Indiana Main Street communities have achieved:
- 5,919 NET new & expanded businesses;
- 36,960 NET full and part-time jobs;
- $4,004,574,027.95 in private reinvestment;
- $2,440,031,219.03 in public reinvestment;
- 11,085 building improvements;
- 9,227 new construction; and
- 3,905 Public Improvement projects.
(Source: Modified from Indiana Main Street)
Main Street Pendleton 