Main Street America

We are excited to welcome three new members to the Main Street America Board of Directors! Get to know Lynda Tran, Tyrone Rachal, and Mary Helmer Wirth: https://lnkd.in/g_R7hwca

People are moving further from urban cores, seeking affordability by going beyond the suburbs into the exurbs. For exurban communities, this represents an opportunity to attract new residents with a vibrant local downtown and increased housing opportunities. But for communities closer to urban centers, this exodus is a reminder of the importance of increasing housing access. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e-mc9qsi

Last week I had the honor of speaking to a group of dedicated, talented Main Streeters in Saco- Biddeford, Maine. Thank you Anne Ball Yellow Light Breen Sylvie Piquet Perri Dorset for inviting and welcoming me in Maine. ?? Participants suggested that I share my remarks about the unique and important role Main Streeters can play in our country right now.?Here’s a short preview: First, plan. Let us create stable foundations by pre-planning for emergencies. Make and keep an actual list of all the things that could go wrong for your organization and your community.? Climate disasters. Financial downturns. Funding falling through. Risks to your reputation that could hurt the trust you’ve built. Then make a plan for how you’ll address it. Who will need to be involved? How will you communicate? What resources will you need and where will they come from? Write it down. Share it. And above all, set aside an emergency fund for your organization. The best laid plans won’t go far if there’s not money in place to put them into play when you most need them. Second, Main Streets are for everyone. Let us keep open minds and open hearts to new ideas and new people. A big part of having a stable foundation is having people in your circle who don’t all think the same way. Resilience relies on creativity. Creativity comes from different lived experiences. Without those different perspectives in the room, you don’t know what you don’t know, until it’s too late. Third, let us mend the corner that’s in front of us, and trust that others are mending theirs. We know that we can’t solve everything. But we are the experts on our own communities. We know which kind of business will probably work on what corner, and what kinds of events people will probably show up to. And we have this entire network of folks who are experts in their own communities too. So we build deep trust locally, and we keep on doing what’s working. Then we extend that trust outward, and trust others in our network to mend what’s in front of them. And finally, invest in people and relationships, especially with your volunteers. In the middle of all the bad news and all the disconnection and confusion, it turns out that people are really looking for meaningful connections. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our movement and there’s a tendency to want to make their job as easy as possible. But people who are drawn to this work, to the work of caring for places, tend to be pretty scrappy people. They like to roll up their sleeves and they love a challenge. If they feel truly taken care of, like you trust them to do something hard, they will show up when you need it most.?More on the power of asking volunteers to do hard things from Frances Jo H. : https://lnkd.in/eJJjg_vF

One month left to register for Main Street America's 2025 Hill Day! This is your opportunity to build relationships with federal policymakers and share the importance of the Main Street Approach. Join us on Feb. 4-5 in Washington, D.C., to make an impact. Register here > https://lnkd.in/e4-2xWfV

Climate change has a significant impact on the outdoor recreation economy. How can business owners navigate the shifting weather patterns? And what role can they play in mitigating environmental impacts? This week on Main Street Business Insights, Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., spoke with Dale Sexton, owner of the legendary Dan Bailey’s Outdoor Co. in Livingston, Montana. #smallbiz

Implementing a new transformation strategy requires careful planning and organizational dedication. In this Main Spotlight, Carrianne Ekberg at Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance explains how to get board buy-in, adjust your work plans, and realign your budget to ensure the success of your new transformation strategy. Read here: https://lnkd.in/ezjmCMAW

"Counties that effectively utilize broadband are seeing marked improvements in local economic dynamism, suggesting that broadband can help mitigate the economic disadvantages often faced by rural areas." A new report shows how rural broadband access supports small business creation, introduces new economic opportunities, and reduces poverty. Read here: https://lnkd.in/dv6s_Fqw

According to NFIB, small business confidence rose by 2.2%, but small business owner uncertainty is at an all-time high. Inflation remains a significant concern, as well as political uncertainty. Does this reflect your experience with small business owners in your community? Read here: https://lnkd.in/g3CcJ7u5

This week is Global Entrepreneurship Week! Main Street America is a proud supporter of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Check out our educational resources, grants and opportunities, and storytelling here: https://lnkd.in/eEV3Hf9a #GEW2024 #SmallBiz

"Even if you don’t hit your goal, you’ll likely achieve some of it?—?and that’s okay. Fundraising is a learning experience." Fundraising doesn't have to be scary. Check out these tips and tricks to build a successful end-of-year fundraiser this holiday season. Read here: https://bit.ly/4fin73g