During a trip to the Gulf Coast, Main Street Alabama President Mary Helmer Wirth stopped by a popular bar in Fort Walton Beach, FL. She was struck by the way the establishment combined shipping container buildings and outdoor seating in an inviting way. That visit sparked an idea: What if Alabama’s downtowns could find a…To read more — login/subscribe
In downtown Fargo, ND (est. pop. 123,736), the city has spent millions to develop downtown parking garages. In Breckenridge, CO (est. pop. 4,938), city officials introduced paid parking — but ever so cautiously. The two cities illustrate varying approaches to the age-old challenge of providing enough parking for visitors while not making rules so loose…To read more — login/subscribe
With new federal guidelines in place as of April 1, downtown leaders should gear up for an accelerated release of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Main Street America says. ARPA, the stimulus package enacted in March 2021, includes $350 billion directed to states and local governments. The idea is to help local…To read more — login/subscribe
As the severity of COVID-19 fades, American life has begun to return to normal. Americans are going to restaurants, movies, concerts, and sporting events. They’re shopping and vacationing. But they aren’t going back to offices. “Everyone’s moving back to the city. They just don’t want to go to the office,” says Sonny Kalsi, co-CEO of…To read more — login/subscribe
Several new businesses planned to open in Somerset, OH (est. pop. 1,728), this year after getting a boost from a local entrepreneurial program. The village named the winner and three runners up for its second Pop-Up Business Competition.The winners include a vintage home decor store, an outdoor tour service, a health drink and retail store,…To read more — login/subscribe
A common critique of public sector programs for low-income residents is that program designers don’t understand the reality of being poor. So when officials in Austin, TX, crafted a plan for a mobility hub last year, the city took pains to solicit feedback from less-affluent members of the community. Local leaders wanted to help residents…To read more — login/subscribe
