This post is mostly applicable to Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) communities, but knowledge of these new Main Street America Accreditation Standards is relevant to any community thinking about their revitalization journey and participation within the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program.
The new Main Street America Evaluation Framework, developed by Main Street America (MSA) in close partnership with Main Street Coordinating Programs, outlines what it means to be a highly successful Main Street program and sets a path for growth and development for newer programs. Annual program assessments are an important opportunity for local Main Street leaders, volunteers, partners and Coordinating Programs to come together to reflect on the progress of a program’s efforts and identify opportunities to build and grow.
The following Self-Assessment has been developed as a tool to help Main Street leaders recognize how their program’s efforts already align with the new standards and identify areas for deeper focus and prioritization. The tool will also serve as a basis for local leaders to work with their Coordinating Program on identifying areas for capacity building, program development and training needs.
Main Street America Community Self-Assessment Tool – Version 2.0
After reviewing the Community Self-Assessment Tool documents, use this worksheet to score community progress and determine the designation status of your community.
Main Street America Community Assessment Worksheet
To learn more about each of the new Standards, view these mini-videos below:
- Standard 1: Broad-Based Community Commitment to Revitalization
- Standard 2: Inclusive Leadership and Organizational Capacity
- Standard 3: Diversified Funding and Sustainable Program Operations
- Standard 4: Strategy-Driven Programming
- Standard 5: Preservation-Based Economic Development
- Standard 6: Impact and Results
There’s a lot of content to dig in to, but by reviewing these tools and videos, you will be able to familiarize yourself with these new Standards and Indicators!
virginiamainstreet.com 