Focus on the Four Points

About

Dive into the Four Points of the Main Street Approach! Whether you’re new to Main Street or looking to deepen your impact, this series offers guidance you can act on right away. Start with the Point most relevant to your work — or complete the full series to see how the Four Points connect.

People dancing in the street in Florence, South Carolina. — Florence, South Carolina. Photo by True Light Photography.

Browse the Focus on the Four Points learning experiences and their courses below, where you’ll hear directly from Main Street leaders, explore real-world examples from across the network, and access tools, templates, and other resources to support your work.

Courses are arranged in a suggested sequence, but may be taken in any order.

THE MAIN STREET APPROACH

Main Street work is powerful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re brand new to the movement or reconnecting with the basics, this short course will give you the grounding you need to move forward with purpose. You’ll explore how the Main Street Approach works, what the Four Points mean, and how transformation strategies help communities thrive. More importantly, you’ll begin to see how your leadership fits into the bigger picture of community revitalization. This course is designed for anyone in the Main Street network — solo directors, new staff, board members, or local partners.

Foundations: The Main Street Approach

Get grounded in the Main Street Approach—and see how your leadership fits into the bigger picture.

Six adults smile and hold coffee, pastries, and notebooks while standing on a sunny Main Street sidewalk lined with historic buildings and lamppost banners that read "Nevada Cubs." — Nevada, Iowa. Photo by KandE Productions

Self-Guided Course

ORGANIZATION

A thriving Main Street starts with a strong foundation — and that foundation is built through Organization. This course explores how Main Street leaders strengthen their programs by focusing on people, funding, and partnerships. From building effective committees to creating sustainable funding strategies, the Organization point of the Main Street Approach supports everything that follows.

In this course, you’ll hear from Jackie Swihart, Director of Network Capacity at Main Street America, as she shares practical insights drawn from her years of working with local programs across the country. Whether you’re a seasoned executive director or just getting started, this learning experience is designed to help you build momentum and reduce the weight of going it alone.

Through interactive exercises, real-world examples, and practical resources, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to support your Main Street efforts.

Understanding Organization

A strong Main Street program is built upon a solid foundation of leadership, organizational structure, and sustainable support systems.

About twenty people stand shoulder-to-shoulder across the double yellow lines in the middle of a wet downtown street, smiling at the camera. They wear a mix of jackets, sweaters, jeans, and colorful pants, with historic brick storefronts, parked cars, and a cloudy-turned-blue sky overhead. — Laramie, Wyoming. Photo by Main Street America

Self-Guided Course

Building a Strong Foundation: Organization

Before a Main Street program can thrive, it needs to function.

A group of four people works on a sidewalk art installation set within a recessed bed of river rocks. Dozens of slender wooden stakes topped with painted wooden shapes (spheres and cubes in bright yellow, orange, red, blue, and purple) rise from the stones. On the left, a crouching woman in a teal tank top and gray leggings picks up rocks; next to her, a standing woman in a wide-brimmed straw hat and green shirt holds two yellow-and-orange blocks. On the right, a woman in a gray tank top drives a stake into the stones with a mallet, while a man in a gray t-shirt and green shorts bends over to adjust a red cube on its stake. Behind them, a row of brick storefronts and the street with parked cars frame the scene under a clear blue sky. — Photo by Kendall Whittier. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Self-Guided Course

People: The Heart of Main Street

Organization isn’t just about structure—it’s also about people: how you recruit, support, and empower them to lead and participate.

A group of about twenty people wearing matching “Made on Main Street” t-shirts stand and kneel behind a layered sign reading “Brunswick, GA” over “Made on Main Street – communities. Celebrating each other.” They’re outdoors on a street curb with event tents and a modern building behind them, and nearly everyone has arms raised in an enthusiastic gesture. — Brunswick, Georgia. Photo by Tamara Gibson Photography.

Self-Guided Course

Organization: Financial Resources and Sustainability

Organization provides the structure and systems that sustain your work, and that includes building a reliable, mission-aligned funding base.

A vibrant streetscape at dusk showing a low brick building with a large painted sign that reads “SANITARY BAKERY – QUALITY AND SERVICE A. Ramsell, Prop.” Red-trimmed windows and a small “PIZZERIA” blade sign flank its corner entrance. In front, people sit at outdoor tables under red and green umbrellas, while others chat on a raised patio platform. A black motorcycle and several cars line the street beside a raised curb and crosswalk. Lush trees frame the scene under a deepening blue sky streaked with pink-tinged clouds. — Georgetown, Texas. Photo by Rudy Ximenez.

Self-Guided Course

Organization: Partnerships and Collaboration

Organization isn’t just about internal structure; it’s also about building external relationships that expand your Main Street program's capacity and deepen its impact.

A large public sculpture of two oversized legs rising from square concrete bases and meeting at the top in a firm handshake. The entire piece is painted in a vibrant mosaic of geometric shapes—triangles and quadrilaterals in red, yellow, green, blue, pink, and purple—outlined in white. It stands on a roadside sidewalk with a parking lot, trees, and low buildings visible in the background. — New Bern, North Carolina. Swiss Bear

Self-Guided Course

Organization: Celebrating Success and Next Steps

Strong Main Street organizations don’t just do the work - they document it, celebrate it, and use it to build momentum.

A large group of people stands across a freshly brick-paved street in front of new streetlights and storefronts. In the center, two individuals hold oversized ceremonial scissors poised over a yellow ribbon printed with “Congratulations!” as others grasp the ribbon at either end. Many in the crowd wear matching gold shirts, while others are dressed in business or casual attire. Young trees line the street, and a stop sign and “Main St” street sign are visible on the right. — Denison, Texas. Photo by Haley Mundine.

Self-Guided Course

ECONOMIC VITALITY

A resilient local economy doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strategy, partnerships, and deep knowledge of your district’s strengths and opportunities. This course will give you the knowledge, tools, and confidence to strengthen the economic foundation of your community — helping businesses grow, properties find new purpose, and local investment take root. From long-term initiatives to day-to-day relationships, Economic Vitality connects vision to action.

In this course, you’ll learn from Joi Cuartero Austin, Senior Program Officer for Economic Vitality at Main Street America. Joi’s strategies come directly from her work with Main Street programs nationwide, combining practical experience with deep policy knowledge. This five-module learning experience is designed to help you connect vision to action and guide smart, community-driven growth.

With hands-on exercises, downloadable resources, and actionable guidance, you’ll walk away ready to support local entrepreneurship, align economic goals with community needs, and lead revitalization efforts with clarity and confidence.

Economic Vitality: The Engine of a Thriving Main Street

What makes a Main Street district thrive economically over time?

Three people stand on a brick-paved sidewalk beneath leafy tree branches, holding up a phone together to take a selfie. To their right, a sandwich-board sign advertises specials in front of a red-awning storefront, and a bicycle leans against the building. Parked cars line the street, and a parent pushes a stroller farther down the sidewalk under a banner–draped lamppost. — Toccoa, Georgia. Photo by Steph Maley, Steph’s Photography.

Self-Guided Course

Economic Vitality: Community and Market Analysis

To make smart decisions for your district, you need to start with a clear picture of what’s already there.

A two-story white stucco building at dusk, its ground floor glowing with warm light from large windows and outdoor seating areas on either side of a central entrance. A bronze sign above the door reads “The Switchboard Restaurant & Bar.” To the left, a neon vertical “Hotel” sign casts a red glow on the upper façade, while string lights and patio heaters illuminate diners outside. Faint streaks of red tail lights blur across the street in front, and a purple-pink sky fades into deep blue above. — Oceanside, California. Photo by MainStreet Oceanside.

Self-Guided Course

Economic Vitality: Building Strategic Partnerships

To make smart decisions for your district, you need to start with a clear picture of what’s already there.

A custom-painted, tropical-themed golf cart parked on the street in front of a bright blue storefront, with a “FREE SHUTTLE” sign and sponsor banners overhead. Four passengers sit onboard—one at the wheel wearing a plaid shirt and light pants, two seated behind on blue cushions (one in a bright blue patterned dress), and one in a pink top—smiling at the camera. The cart’s body features palm tree and beach graphics, and its oversized off-road wheels are painted blue and white. — Clarksville, Virginia. Photo by Joi Cuartero Austin.

Self-Guided Course

Economic Vitality: Economic Development Strategies

Economic development doesn’t require a big budget or a major redevelopment project to be effective.

Shoppers stroll down a busy downtown sidewalk past a rolling rack of dresses and tops displayed outside a boutique. A child in a red shirt walks ahead of an adult pushing a stroller, while another adult carries a small child on their shoulders. Nearby, a person in a mobility scooter holds a small dog, and a street vendor’s jewelry stand and a yellow food truck peek out behind leafy trees. — Woodbine, Iowa. Photo by Hawkeye Aerial Services.

Self-Guided Course

Economic Vitality: Promoting the District

Promotion plays a powerful supporting role in Economic Vitality. When used strategically, it helps drive investment, attract the right businesses, and reinforce your district’s unique identity.

A group of about fifteen people stands together inside a modern restaurant space with wooden floors, high ceilings, and exposed ductwork. They wear a mix of work aprons, casual clothes, and business-casual outfits. In the center, one person holds a “Shop Small” sign that reads “AT Town Hall and The Dispensary.” Behind them are seating benches, tables, and an open kitchen area with tile accents on the walls. — Florence, South Carolina. Photo by Downtown Florence Main Street Program.

Self-Guided Course

DESIGN

Design is more than decoration. It’s how people move, gather, explore, and connect in your district. This course explores how the Design point of the Main Street Approach shapes identity, honors history, and lays the groundwork for future growth. From streetscapes and signage to preservation and accessibility, design influences both how a place looks and how it works.

In this course, you’ll hear from Lisa Mullins Thompson, Senior Program Officer at Main Street America. Her insights come from years of collaborating with local leaders to turn design challenges into opportunities. This five-module learning experience will help you assess your district’s assets, collaborate on practical solutions, and communicate your design ideas with clarity and purpose.

Through case studies, scenario-based practice, and planning tools, you’ll build the skills to lead with intention, advocate with confidence, and shape a district that reflects your community’s unique character.

Introduction to Design Principles

Design shapes how people experience a place, interact with their surroundings, and feel a sense of belonging. More than aesthetics, it is a strategic tool that strengthens a district’s identity, supports local businesses, and fosters inclusivity.

A person in a red-and-gray pullover stands inside a partially demolished interior, holding a white hard hat and looking up at exposed wooden studs and wall framing. The room has drywall removed from one side, a red ladder lying on the floor, and sunlight streaming through tall windows in the background. — Hastings, Nebraska. Photo by Molly Kluver.

Self-Guided Course

Design: Historic Preservation Basics

Historic preservation is more than maintaining old buildings—it’s about safeguarding the unique cultural and historical narratives that define a place.

Downtown Nevada, Iowa, featuring a row of historic brick buildings with colorful facades, including red, blue, and tan storefronts. American flags and a 'Nevada Cubs' banner hang from streetlamps, and outdoor seating is visible in the foreground under a clear blue sky. — Nevada, Iowa. Photo by KandE Productions

Self-Guided Course

Design: Assessing Community Assets

Creating vibrant and sustainable Main Street districts starts with understanding and leveraging the assets that already exist in a community.

A group of people gathers on a sidewalk under leafy trees in downtown Stevenson, Washington. They appear to be engaged in conversation or a walking tour. A signpost labeled 'Stevenson, Washington' is visible in the background, along with parked vehicles and a tree-lined street. — Stevenson, Washington. Photo by Alicia Gallo.

Self-Guided Course

Communicating and Implementing Design Ideas

Successful Design initiatives require more than good ideas—they need clear communication, stakeholder advocacy, and practical implementation strategies.

A construction site sign showing the future location of the Brooks Street Greenspace in Sheridan, Wyoming. The sign includes a colorful illustrated rendering of the planned park, featuring pathways, lush landscaping, a pergola seating area, and lighting. Text on the sign outlines the project objective and construction schedule, with logos from local partners and planning organizations. — Sheridan, Wyoming. Photo by Downtown Sheridan Association.

Self-Guided Course

Design: Measuring and Showcasing Success

Design shapes how people experience a place, but how do we know if those choices are making an impact?

A large group of people gathered in downtown Denison, Texas, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. They are holding a banner that reads 'Congratulations!' while standing on a newly renovated brick-paved street. The group includes community leaders, local officials, and residents, with a mix of yellow shirts, business attire, and casual wear. The setting is framed by restored historic buildings, trees, and a stop sign marking Main Street and Rusk Avenue. — Denison, Texas. Photo by Haley Mundine.

Self-Guided Course

PROMOTION

Every Main Street has a story — and Promotion is how you tell it. This course explores how Main Street leaders use Promotion to bring people together, build pride of place, and highlight what makes their districts unique. From campaigns and content to events and partnerships, the Promotion point of the Main Street Approach connects your audience to your work and your vision.

In this course, you’ll hear from Jonathan Stone, Program Officer at Main Street America. The practices and approaches he shares are grounded in his work with Main Street programs across the country and shaped by real-life successes in communities like yours. This six-module learning experience will help you design promotional efforts that reflect your local identity and inspire lasting engagement.

Through interactive exercises, customizable templates, and practical tools, you’ll gain strategies to elevate your brand, attract investment, and build momentum for revitalization.