The Local Main Street Leader learning journey supports you at every stage of your Main Street work. Whether you’re working alone, leading a team, or building new partnerships, this learning journey meets you where you are — and helps you take the next step with confidence.
Raton, New Mexico. Photo by Patricia Duran.
Browse the Local Main Street Leader learning journey phases and their courses below. In each, you’ll find actionable guidance, peer-tested strategies, and ready-to-use tools and templates to support your work.
Courses are arranged in a suggested sequence, but may be taken in any order.
Every Main Street journey begins with a leap — into community, into leadership, and into possibility. The Starting phase supports new leaders as they navigate early challenges, from clarifying their role to building trust in the district. You’ll explore what it means to lead from within your community, establish foundational systems, and discover practical ways to set your program up for long-term success.
In this phase, you’ll hear from peers and experts who know the early stages can be both exciting and overwhelming. Together, we’ll explore tools, tips, and templates that help you get grounded, so you can lead with purpose, not just pressure.
Through reflection prompts, real-life examples, and practical activities, you’ll find your footing as a Main Street leader and start to shape a program that reflects your values and your community’s vision.
Most Main Street leaders step into this work with deep passion and dedication to their community—and not a lot of guidance. This role can be described as a job that's ten positions rolled into one, and where the needs of the community take center stage.
Nevada, Iowa. Photo by KandE Productions
Main Street leadership begins with you and how you envision your role in bringing the community's vision for the downtown to fruition.
Florence, South Carolina. Photo by Downtown Development Office;
You’ve taken your first steps in your journey as a Main Street leader: you understand what it means to be in this role. Now, it’s time to turn vision into action.
Nevada, Iowa. KandE Productions
Effective Main Street leadership starts with clarity and confidence. But for many new leaders, managing resources—especially budgets and time—can feel overwhelming. This course is designed to change that.
Sykesville, Maryland. Photo by Downtown Sykesville Connection.
Lead with clarity and confidence—no matter your team size.
Madison, Indiana. Photo by Joe Tesoriero.
Navigate conflict with clarity, care, and confidence—so your leadership strengthens trust, not tension.
Nevada, Iowa. Photo by KandE Productions.
Operational success in Main Street leadership isn’t just about managing money or time, it’s also about how you communicate priorities, build trust, and empower your team.
2025 Main Street Now Conference. Photo by BeauMonde Originals.
Clear, effective communication is one of the most important tools a Main Street leader has.
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe. Photo by Main Street America.
Volunteers are at the heart of Main Street success. Whether they’re helping out at events, leading committees, or supporting special projects, your work would not be possible without them. But for many Main Street leaders, finding the right volunteers and keeping them engaged can feel like a constant challenge.
Madison, Indiana. Photo by Joe Tesoriero.
You don’t have to lead alone. In fact, you shouldn’t. The strongest Main Street leaders build their practice alongside others, through peer support, mentorship, and shared problem-solving.
2025 Main Street Now Conference. Photo by BeauMonde Originals.
You’ve laid the groundwork — now it’s time to bring your vision to life. The Launching phase is all about turning plans into progress. This phase of the learning journey will help you build public trust, track your program’s impact, and tell your Main Street story in ways that spark momentum.
You’ll learn how to set realistic goals, sustain funding, and engage your community in meaningful, visible ways. Whether you’re navigating your first grant or hosting a community event, this phase is designed to support your growth without burning out.
Through scenario-based learning, stakeholder engagement strategies, and storytelling tools, you’ll gain confidence in your leadership and clarity in your next steps.
Financial sustainability isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about leading with clarity, reducing burnout, and building a Main Street program that lasts.
Bardstown, Kentucky. Photo by Grizzly Media.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of Main Street leadership. And, without a plan that outlines and tracks your efforts, it's hard to tell what's making a difference, what needs adjustment, and where to focus next.
Covington Kentucky Renaissance Covington
Move beyond economic metrics to understand the social, emotional, and cultural value your organization brings to your community.
East Oakland, California. Photo by Black Cultural Zone.
Main Street leadership is a marathon—not a sprint.
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Washington Photo by Main Street America
Main Street leaders are known for showing up—every day, in every way. But even the most committed leaders can run on empty.
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich/Pexels.
Every Main Street leader will face challenges, but not every challenge has to derail your momentum.
Nevada, Iowa. Photo by Kand E Productions.
Whether you’re building on early momentum or stepping into an established program, the Growing phase is designed to help you strengthen what’s working and expand your impact. This part of the journey shifts toward more advanced strategies for managing your organization, deepening relationships, and leading with clarity.
In this phase, you’ll find paid, project-based courses that go further than the foundational guidance in earlier stages. Led by subject matter experts from Main Street America and across our network, these courses guide you step by step toward creating tangible deliverables — such as action plans, strategic templates, and practical frameworks you can put to work in your own program.
Through invaluable expert insights, case studies, and interactive branching scenarios, the Growing phase helps you refine your approach, scale your successes, and navigate the increasing complexity of your role.
Coming Winter 2025. Stay tuned!
As your program matures, so does your opportunity to reimagine what is possible. The Innovating phase invites you to think big, try new approaches, and future-proof your work through thoughtful experimentation and intention.
In this phase, paid, project-based courses led by Main Street America experts and partners from across the network provide hands-on guidance for tackling complex challenges. You’ll develop actionable deliverables that are tailored to your role and district.
Through interactive simulations, exclusive expert insights, and advanced tools, Innovating supports smart experimentation that stays grounded in your community’s needs while helping you chart new paths forward.
Coming Spring 2026. Stay tuned!
Long-term leadership is not just about staying in place — it’s about ensuring what you’ve built continues to thrive. The Succeeding phase focuses on legacy, knowledge transfer, and preparing your organization for the future.
Here, paid, project-based courses, led by seasoned professionals and Main Street America network experts, guide you through creating deliverables such as succession plans, continuity templates, and leadership transition tools. These experiences help you document systems, mentor emerging leaders, and build institutional memory that supports long-term success.
Through project-based exercises, practical case studies, and subject matter expert insights, this phase helps you lead through change with clarity and care while leaving a lasting impact on your community.
Coming Spring 2026. Stay tuned!
