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" 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. Based on the success in those three towns, a pilot project followed in six states: Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. 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. 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.

Alabama

Alaska

While there is no statewide coordinating program, there is at least one local program accredited by Main Street America. Accredited Programs

Arizona

The Arizona Downtown Alliance was started in 1984 to encourage the redevelopment and improvement of downtowns in Arizona. Steven Griffin served as the President in 1984-1985. William E. Mosher, executive director of Tucson's Downtown Development Corporation was elected president in January 1987. The first ever statewide historic preservation conference, "A Sense of Place" was held June 2003 with support from the Arizona Main Street Program. Around 2008 the Main Street Program was housed under the Arizona Department of Commerce. Today Lani Lott is Coordinator of the Arizona Downtown Alliance, a program of the Arizona Preservation Foundation. Designated programs Non-Designated Programs

Arkansas

California

California established a statewide coordinating program in 1986. From 1986 to 2002, the California Main Street Program was administered by the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency and supported by State General Funds. That agency was eliminated in 2002/03 due to a budget crisis. In 2004 the California Main Street Program was re-established within the Office of Historic Preservation. Designated Programs Non-Designated Programs - may be active or inactive

Colorado

After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Colorado was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program. At the time of founding the Gates Foundation gave $100,000 to underwrite free design services in Main Street communities. Today the Colorado Department of Local Affairs serves the statewide coordinating program. In Colorado there are Designated, Candidate, Graduate, and Affiliate communities. Designated Communities Candidate Communities Graduate Communities Affiliate Communities

Connecticut

Lisa Bumbera was coordinator for the State Program in 1995 when it was established under Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P). Connecticut was the first state to have its program sponsored by a private corporation rather than by the state government. The Connecticut Main Street Center was established as an independent non-profit in December 1999. The Connecticut Department of Economic Development became a Founding Partner of the program, along with CL&P. John Simone became the first full-time executive director of Connecticut Main Street in January 2000. When NU merged with Boston-based NStar in April 2012 the future of the program was cast into question. In August 2017, Patrick McMahon became Chief Executive Officer for the Connecticut Main Street Center, Inc. Non-participating Communities

Delaware

DelBiz on Main is the state Coordinating Program for Delaware, located within the Department of State, Division of Small Business. Accredited Programs Other Programs

District of Columbia

DC Main Streets was established in 2002 and provides services and funding to the 24 Main Street programs in the District of Columbia. Non-Designated Programs

Florida

Georgia

After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Georgia was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program. At the time of founding the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation raised $100,000 to provide design assistance to Main Street Communities. Today the Georgia Main Street program serves over 100 communities.

Hawaii

No designated programs

Idaho

The statewide Main Street coordinating program was launched in June 2012 under the Idaho Department of Commerce. Jerry Miller is the state coordinator for Idaho. Designated Programs Affiliate Programs

Illinois

Originally field staff with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Chicago were instrumental in starting the "Main Street Project." One of the three original "Main Street Project" communities was in Galesburg, Illinois, from 1977-1979. Donna Ann Harris was the State Coordinator of the Illinois Main Street Program between 2000 and 2002. Presently Kelly Humrichouser is state coordinator for the Illinois Main Street program that has 19 active programs across the state. Designated Programs Non-designated Programs - Some may be active, others not

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

The Louisiana Main Street Program is within the Office of Cultural Development and the Division of Historic Preservation. Established in 1984, there are presently 24 designated Main Street Programs in Louisiana. Designated Programs Non-Designated Programs

Maine

The Maine Development Foundation serves as the coordinating program for Maine. In August 2018, Main Street Maine communities launched a website to share authentic Maine downtown experiences, featuring businesses and attractions in each city and town with the National Main Street designation. Main Street Maine Communities Maine Downtown Affiliates

Maryland

Massachusetts

After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Massachusetts was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program. At the time of founding banking industry leaders held two conferences to discuss innovative financing programs. Under the leadership of then Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, a citywide coordinating program was established in Boston. This has since grown to include 22 designated Main Street programs in Boston.

Michigan

Minnesota

A unique approach has been taken in Minnesota to rebrand the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota as "Rethos" - a 501c3 non-profit that works with Main Street communities but also neighborhood groups, developers, and homeowners. Designated Communities Network Communities Other Communities

Mississippi

The Mississippi Main Street Association was established in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi. Mississippi Main Street serves as the coordinating program for 48 designated Main Street programs in Mississippi. Thomas Gregory currently serves as the executive director and state coordinator for the Mississippi Main Street Association. Previous state coordinators include Bob Wilson, Beverly Meng, and Scott Barksdale. Below is a list of Mississippi's designated Main Street programs.

Missouri

Missouri has over 160 commercial districts participating in Missouri Main Street. A state-wide non-profit organization was formed in 2004 and recognizes communities in the following categories: Accredited, Associate, Affiliate, and Aspiring. There are 7 accredited communities with the highest level of designation. Gayla Roten has been State Director since November 2007. She is assisted in that role by a staff of six. Accredited Communities Associate Communities Affiliate Communities Other Communities

Montana

Montana Main Street Program was established in 2005 as a collaborative effort between the Community Development Division and the Montana Office of Tourism at the Department of Commerce. Three pilot projects for the program were selected in 2006: Anaconda, Polson, and Red Lodge. Joining them a few years later were Libby, STevensville, Butte, and Livingston to bring the total up to seven. In 2013 Governor Steve Bullock brought together the Community Development Division of the Montana Office of Tourism and the Montana Department of Commerce in a new effort to help revitalize historic downtowns in Montana, after the Montana Main Street Program had been cut in the 2013 Legislative Session. At the time twenty-one communities were participating in the program. Certified Programs Affiliate Programs

Nebraska

Nevada

No designated programs

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Jersey has two Great American Main Street Award winners: Westfield (2004) and Montclair (2015). Today the Main Street New Jersey coordinating program is operated by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs in Trenton, New Jersey.

New Mexico

New York

New York is one of the few states in the US that does not have a state coordinating program officially recognized by Main Street America. That has not prevented a number of communities from pursuing downtown revitalization, with several that have faithfully followed the Main Street Approach. Non-Designated Programs

North Carolina

North Dakota

No designated programs

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

There are three levels of designation in Oregon: Performing Main Street, Transforming Downtown, and Exploring Downtown. Today they are 64 Main Street programs in Oregon. Performing Main Street Transforming Downtown Not Designated - May be Active or Inactive

Pennsylvania

After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Pennsylvania was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program. Today the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, founded in 1987, is the state coordinating program for Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

No designated programs

South Carolina

The South Carolina Downtown Development Association was formed as a private, nonprofit organization in 1984. Five of the original towns in the South Carolina Main Street Program named in 1984 were Sumter, Chester, Union, Lancaster, and Georgetown. In 1985 they were joined by five more towns: Clinton, Beaufort, Gaffney, Greer, and Seneca. Another five cities were named to the program in 1986: Anderson, Bennettsville, Camden, Conway, and Darlington. A call went out in 1999 for "1,000 Friends of South Carolina" to support the ongoing work of the South Carolina Downtown Development Association. That call for supporters reflected on the effectiveness of a grassroots approach to achieve community revitalization over the past 16 years. Designated Communities Non-Designated Communities - may be active or inactive

South Dakota

One of the three original "Main Street Project" communities was in Hot Springs, South Dakota, from 1977-1979. As of 2021, however, there are no Main Street America designated programs in South Dakota, nor is there an active state coordinating program. Of the downtowns in South Dakota some follow the Main Street Approach, while others are a downtown association or chamber of commerce format. Non-Designated Communities

Tennessee

Texas

After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Texas one was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program. Texas Main Street was established under the Texas Historical Commission and based in Austin, Texas. In 1981, Seguin received a "Resource Team" that spent a week with business and civic leaders, bankers, elected officials, and the newly appointed Main Street Manager. Over the next 3 years plans to rehab several building were aided by a low-interest loan pool established by local banks. Anice Read led the program from the start until she retired in 1996. As of 2021, Debra Drescher leads a 9-person staff serving 88 communities.

Utah

No designated programs

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Affiliated Programs

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Today the state coordinating program is housed within the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation with Errin Welty as the state coordinator. Designated Communities Other Communities

Wyoming