Main Street Standards

Main Street America’s six Community Evaluation Standards provide a foundational framework for the network to enhance local revitalization efforts.

Dive into Virginia Main Street’s “Switch to Six” Training Series to learn more.

1. Broad-based Community Commitment to Revitalization: Recording | Slide Deck

  • Revitalization isn’t just one group’s job — it needs buy-in from across the community, including public, private, and civic sectors.
  • Focuses on building partnerships, doing outreach to the community, and maintaining good communication so people feel invested.

2. Inclusive Leadership & Organizational Capacity: Recording | Slide Deck

  • Emphasizes that people are Main Street’s greatest resource; the leadership structure should reflect the whole community.
  • Key areas: creating an inclusive organizational culture, engaging a diverse volunteer base, having a representative board, and building a professional staff with good operational systems.

3. Diversified Funding & Sustainable Program Operations: Recording | Slide Deck | Handout

  • A Main Street program needs reliable, varied funding — not just dependent on one source.
  • Focus areas include: balanced revenue streams (public + private), strategic fundraising, aligning budget with work plans, and strong financial practices.

4. Strategy-Driven Programming: Recording | Slide Deck | Dashboard Template | Project Work Plan Template

  • Change should be managed, not just reactive. This means having a clear, strategic work plan.
  • Strategy should come from community input and market research, and it should guide all Main Street “Four Point” activities (Design, Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality).
  • Work plans should align with long-term transformation strategies.

5. Preservation-based Economic Development: Recording | Slide Deck | Design Assessment

  • Economic development should leverage historic and cultural assets — preserving what makes a place unique.
  • Focuses on educating about preservation ethics, using design best practices that are place-based and people-focused, and promoting a community’s heritage.

6. Demonstrated Impact & Results: Recording | Slide Deck

  • It’s not enough to do work; Main Street programs need to measure and demonstrate their impact.
  • Includes showing both quantitative (e.g., economic metrics) and qualitative (e.g., story-telling) outcomes.
  • Also involves communicating that value to stakeholders — using data and stories to advocate for continued support.