Main Street

For Property Owners:

• Increased occupancy rates
• Rent stabilization or increase
• Increased property values
• Increased stability
• Reduced vandalism/crime deterrent
• Assistance with tax credits, grants, loan programs, design and cooperative maintenance
• Communication medium with other property owners
• Better image
• New uses on upper floors

For Local Residents and Consumers:

• Enhanced marketplace (better shopping and the benefits of shopping locally)
• Sense of pride in downtown
• Social/cultural activities
• Opportunities to keep kids in town
• Sense of hometown community
• Opportunity to participate/volunteer
• Better communication
• Political advocate
• Home values increase

For Retail Business Owners:

• Increased sales
• Improved image
• Increased value of business
• Coordinated efforts between local businesses and franchises
• Quality of life
• Educational opportunities (seminars and workshops)
• Increased traffic
• District marketing strategies (promotion and advertising)
• Better business mix
• New market groups Downtown
• Community pride
• Have needs/issues addressed

For Service Business Owners:

• Image building/improvement
• New/renewed/repeated exposure
• Increased variety of services
• Healthier economy generates new/more business
• Increased competition means more aggressive business styles
• Increased population, new customers
• Improved image, creates new market

For Financial Institutions:

• Community Reinvestment Act compliance
• Potential growth for loans, deposits and other services (bank cards, financial services)
• Improved image and good will
• Survival of community, critical to bank success and economic stability
• Central location more cost effective
• For Utilities:
• Additional businesses
• Longer business hours
• More employees
• Healthy businesses feel freer to increase utility use
• Healthy economy causes community to grow
• Ensure quality in Main Street public improvements

For Municipal Governments:

• Increased tax base
• More tourism
• Increased property values
• Increased number of jobs
• Better goals and vision
• Healthy economy
• Better services available
• Positive perception of Downtown and community
• Better relations between local government and private sector
• Increased volunteer base for city
• Takes political heat, develops consensus for political requests
• Industrial recruitment
• Impetus for public improvements
• Grant solicitation
• Information resource for city leaders

For County Government:

• Increased public relations for county
• Viable downtown increases tax base
• Multiplier effect
• Viable downtown is a draw for industry
• Develops partnerships with city hall
• Builds pride Heritage preservation
• Alternative to redevelopment district
• Quality of life issues
• Help with parking issue

For Preservationists:

• Main Street reinforces the common goals of preservation
• Increases coalition
• Increased awareness and credibility
• Education of public and group
• Improved public image
• Improved economic feasibility of preservation

The Main Street America Four-Point Approach® is a comprehensive framework used by communities to revitalize historic downtowns and commercial districts. It recognizes that successful downtown revitalization requires a balanced focus on organization, economic vitality, design, and promotion:

1. Organization: Build a strong foundation for revitalization by bringing partners together, creating sustainable leadership, developing resources, and coordinating efforts among businesses, residents, local government, and community organizations.
2. Economic Vitality: Strengthen the local economy by supporting businesses, attracting investment, encouraging entrepreneurship, filling vacant buildings, and creating a diverse and resilient downtown economy.
3. Design: Enhance the appearance, function, and character of the downtown through thoughtful planning, historic preservation, public spaces, building improvements, and creating an inviting environment.
4. Promotion: Market and celebrate the downtown by highlighting local businesses, events, culture, and community assets to attract visitors, customers, and investment.

Together, the Four Points provide a balanced approach that helps communities create vibrant, welcoming, and economically healthy downtowns while preserving their unique character.

Dive deeper into the four points here.

The Eight Guiding Principles of Main Street America® are the foundation of the Main Street Approach. They help communities ensure their downtown revitalization efforts are comprehensive, sustainable, and locally driven.

1. Comprehensive: Successful revitalization requires a broad approach that addresses all aspects of downtown health — including economic development, design, promotion, and community organization.
2. Incremental: Revitalization happens over time. Communities achieve lasting change through small, achievable steps that build momentum and demonstrate success.
3. Community-driven: Local people are at the center of the process. Successful Main Street programs are guided by residents, businesses, property owners, volunteers, and community leaders.
4. Public-private partnerships: Strong partnerships between local government, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations create the resources and support needed for success.
5. Identifying existing assets: Communities build on what they already have; local businesses, historic buildings, culture, traditions, natural resources, and community strengths — rather than trying to become something they are not.
6. Quality: Successful programs focus on high-quality planning, projects, events, and improvements that create lasting value and reflect community pride.
7. Changing attitudes: Revitalization requires shifting perceptions about downtowns, helping people see opportunities, celebrate successes, and build confidence in their community’s future.
8. Implementation-oriented: Main Street is focused on action. Communities develop realistic strategies and follow through with projects, programs, and activities that create measurable results.
   
   

What is Main Street?

Main Street is a proven approach to downtown and commercial district revitalization that helps communities strengthen their local economies, preserve historic character, and create vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit. The Main Street model provides communities with tools, training, and resources to support long-term downtown success.

What is the Idaho Main Street program?

The Idaho Main Street Program supports communities across the state in revitalizing their downtowns and commercial districts. Through technical assistance, training, resources, and partnerships, the program helps communities implement proven revitalization strategies that strengthen local economies and enhance quality of life.

Who can participate in Idaho Main Street?

Idaho Main Street is designed to support communities of all sizes that are committed to downtown revitalization. Cities, downtown organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, local governments, and community volunteers can all play an important role in Main Street efforts.

What is the Main Street Approach?

The Main Street Approach is a comprehensive framework for downtown revitalization built around four interconnected areas of work:

• Organization – Building strong partnerships and leadership
• Economic Vitality – Strengthening businesses and creating economic opportunities
• Design – Improving the appearance, function, and character of downtown
• Promotion – Marketing downtown assets, events, and businesses

Why should a community have a Main Street program?

A Main Street program helps communities:

• Strengthen small businesses and support entrepreneurs
• Attract investment and increase economic activity
• Revitalize vacant and underused buildings
• Preserve historic buildings and community character
• Create vibrant public spaces and community events
• Build stronger partnerships among local leaders, businesses, and residents

Is Main Street only for historic downtowns?

No. While historic preservation is an important part of Main Street, the program focuses on the overall health and vitality of commercial districts. Main Street strategies can benefit historic downtowns, traditional business districts, neighborhood centers, and emerging commercial areas.

Does Main Street provide grants?

Main Street is not a direct grant program. Instead, it provides communities with training, technical assistance, best practices, and resources to help them identify opportunities, build capacity, and pursue funding from a variety of sources.

How does Main Street help small businesses?

Main Street supports small businesses by helping communities create stronger business environments through business recruitment and retention, downtown marketing, networking, training opportunities, improved public spaces, and strategies that increase foot traffic.

What role does the community play in Main Street?

Successful Main Street programs are community-driven. Local volunteers, businesses, residents, city leaders, and organizations all contribute by identifying priorities, supporting projects, participating in events, and helping carry out the community’s vision.

How long does it take to see results from a Main Street Program?

Downtown revitalization is a long-term effort. While communities may see early successes through events, façade improvements, business openings, or new partnerships, lasting change requires ongoing commitment and investment over time.

What types of projects can Main Street support?

Main Street communities work on a wide variety of projects, including:

• Downtown master planning
• Business recruitment and support
• Historic building rehabilitation
• Streetscape improvements
• Public art and placemaking
• Community events
• Marketing campaigns
• Leadership and volunteer development

How is Main Street different from traditional economic development?

Traditional economic development often focuses on business recruitment, jobs, and investment. Main Street takes a broader approach by combining economic development with community identity, historic preservation, design, and quality of place.

What is the benefit of being affiliated with Main Street America?

Communities affiliated with Main Street America receive access to national best practices, training, professional development, networking, and a proven revitalization framework that has been used successfully across the country.

How can my community get involved with Idaho Main Street?

Communities interested in learning more can contact the Idaho Main Street Program at Idaho Commerce to discuss opportunities, resources, and next steps for downtown revitalization.

Download Our How-To Guide

Learn more about how Main Street can work for your community with this overview and assessment guide. Please click here.