Strategy in Action

The Main Street model is a commercial corridor organization that utilizes a strategy-driven framework to guide community-based revitalization. It was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is now run by the nonprofit National Main Street Center. The model supports new and existing small business owners by emphasizing the value of place and centrality of the physical environment to growing successful businesses. To grow a corridor’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the framework focuses on the economic vitality of a corridor, physical design, promotion, and organization that promotes partnerships, involves the community, and garners resources. Main Street organizations exist in communities across the country and are supported by the national center. Most receive programmatic and financial support from public and private sector organizations and are managed by a board of directors that includes diverse stakeholders, including property and business owners, as well as government agency and nonprofit representatives.