List of Main Street Programs in the United States

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Main Street America’s local programs help revitalize downtowns and commercial districts by focusing on preservation-based economic development and community renewal. The movement began in 1977 with the Main Street Project, a National Trust for Historic Preservation effort in three towns: Galesburg, Illinois; Madison, Indiana; and Hot Springs, South Dakota. After success, a six-state pilot followed in Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Since then, many more towns have joined, either as statewide/regional coordinating programs or as local programs. Programs designated as Designated follow best practices and typically appoint a full-time staff member called a main street manager. In 2020, there were 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs and 44 Coordinating Programs. Some states have no statewide coordinating program, but at least one local program is accredited.

Accredited and coordinating programs
- Accredited programs are recognized for following the Main Street approach and meeting standards.
- Coordinating programs support multiple communities across a region or state.
- In some states there is no statewide coordinating program; communities operate locally and may still be accredited.

State snapshots (selected examples)

- Arizona: The Arizona Downtown Alliance (1984) supports downtown redevelopment; today led by a coordinator and connected to the Arizona Preservation Foundation.
- California: A statewide coordinating program began in 1986, shifted within state agencies over time, and in 2004 was re-established within the Office of Historic Preservation. Both designated and non-designated programs exist.
- Colorado: One of the earliest to establish a statewide coordinating program after 1979; currently administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, with Designated, Candidate, Graduate, and Affiliate communities.
- Connecticut: Began with private sponsorship; the Connecticut Main Street Center was formed in 1999 with early government partnership. The program has continued evolving under state and private support.
- Delaware: DelBiz on Main is the state Coordinating Program, located in the Department of State.
- District of Columbia: DC Main Streets began in 2002 to support 24 Main Street programs in D.C.
- Georgia: A statewide coordinating program serves more than 100 communities; no formal designated programs listed.
- Idaho: Statewide coordinating program launched in 2012 under the Idaho Department of Commerce.
- Illinois: The program began with the National Trust influence; Illinois has an active set of designations managed by state coordinators.
- Louisiana: Louisiana Main Street has a dedicated program with designated and non-designated options.
- Maine: The Maine Development Foundation coordinates Main Street efforts; Main Street Maine launched a regional/site presence in 2018.
- Massachusetts: One of the first states with a statewide approach; Boston hosts a citywide coordinating program, with multiple designated programs statewide.
- Minnesota: Preservation-focused work branded as "Rethos," a nonprofit that partners with Main Street communities and other local groups.
- Mississippi: Mississippi Main Street Association coordinates 48 designated programs across the state.
- Missouri: Missouri Main Street Association coordinates a statewide effort with accredited communities and a team of staff.
- Montana: Montana Main Street started in 2005, with several pilot communities; effort revived in 2013 to help more towns.
- New Jersey: Main Street New Jersey is run by the state Department of Community Affairs; two towns have won Great American Main Street Awards.
- New York: No official state coordinating program recognized by Main Street America, but many communities pursue the Main Street approach on their own.
- North Dakota: (Not detailed in this summary.)
- New Hampshire, Vermont, and others: (Not detailed in this snapshot.)
- Oregon: Three designation levels—Performing Main Street, Transforming Downtown, and Exploring Downtown—with a sizable network of programs.
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Downtown Center has been the state coordinating program since 1987.
- South Carolina: The South Carolina Downtown Development Association coordinates downtown revitalization as a private nonprofit; many towns joined since 1984.
- South Dakota: Originally hosted a Main Street Project community; as of 2021, there are no state-designated programs, though some towns follow the approach.
- Texas: Texas Main Street, run by the Texas Historical Commission, serves many communities (about 88), with a long history of local design assistance and loans.
- Wisconsin: The state coordinating program is housed in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, with a mix of designated and affiliated communities.

Note: Program presence and status can change over time as states update their partnerships and designations.