Latest news with #MainStreetAmerica
Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin's DNA hoping $100,000 grant will help pop-up vendors become downtown store owners
The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is creating a new business incubator program with a $100,000 grant from Main Street America. The nonprofit is one of three organizations nationally to receive the Small Business Accelerator Grant funded by The Hartford in partnership with Main Street America, DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala said. There are 150 vendors who operate pop-up businesses as part of DNA's weekly Downtown Elgin Market on the Riverside Drive Promenade, which opens for the season this Friday. They could all be potential candidates for the incubator program, Fukala said. 'We see an opportunity to develop a program to help them become full-time brick-and-mortar businesses,' she said. 'We've had some businesses make the jump, and we know it's a big jump. This program is going to help businesses be better prepared to do that.' DNA plans to have a 1,000-square-foot retail storefront and production space for eight to 12 businesses, which will revolve between businesses as owners work toward opening their own location, she said. Expected to open this winter, the space will be downtown in a location yet to be determined, Fukala said. Under the program, already-established small business owners will serve as part of a cohort to provide support and advice, including one component focused just on business development, she said. Ultimately, the goal is to help grow more retail businesses in the downtown district and set them up so they can thrive, Fukala said. DNA is a member of the Illinois Main Street program, and just became nationally accredited by Main Street America. With The Hartford being one of Main Street America's major sponsors, the local organization could eligible for additional funding in the future, Fukala said. Downtown is evolving, DNA Board President Brian Piñon told the Elgin City Council at a recent meeting where the grant was announced. 'We have over a dozen properties under renovation. We have seen properties change hands that haven't changed hands in decades to new property owners that are really investing in our community,' Piñon said. 'This grant represents a national recognition that our downtown has value. (The Hartford and Main Street are) investing in us because our downtown matters,' he said. '(Downtown is) really the heart of our community, and it's where we come together, where we go to see each other. It's kind of our communal living room. It's what DNA has been working hard to create.' The Downtown Elgin Market is one of the big attractions, drawing more than 22,000 visitors last year, according the DNA's annual report. Survey numbers indicate that 56% of those who went to the market also participated in other downtown activities, the report said. This year the market will open two weeks earlier than normal. Held from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 10, the first day Friday will include a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Dave Kaptain at 3:30 p.m. 'Every year we are looking at how to dial it further or try different things,' Fukala said. 'There are some markets that have already started. We thought we would give it a try.' First Friday market days — with extended hours to 8 p.m. — will be held this Friday as well as June 6 and Aug. 1. It will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. on those days. Food trucks, chef demonstrations, live entertainment and educational programming from community partners are some of the activities offered.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson celebrates Great American Main Street Award
JEFFERSON, Iowa – Earlier this year, Jefferson was honored as a winner of the Great American Main Street Award by Main Street America, the highest honor a Main Street community can receive. Woodworking meets Broadway in small town Iowa Jefferson Matters' Executive Director Matt Wetrich said it's a reflection of 13 years of hard work to revamp the historic central business district in a struggling small town, as well as turn Jefferson into an enticing destination and welcoming hometown. He joined Today in Iowa's Calyn Thompson during the Live On Location coverage to discuss the recognition. You can check out all the stories from Today in Iowa's week-long focus on Jefferson here: Live on Location in Jefferson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Joplin Alliance designated an accredited Main Street America program
The Downtown Joplin Alliance has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program. Lori Haun, executive director of the DJA, said in a statement: 'Being an Accredited Main Street program enables DJA to benefit from a nationwide coalition of Main Streets, consultants and mentors with an ever-growing wealth of best practices and knowledge at their disposal. This guidance allows for us to maintain steady progression and growth, even in chaotic times.' Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — affiliate and accredited. To quality for accredited status — Main Street America's top designation tier—communities must show a track record of achieving outcomes in alignment with the Main Street Approach in six areas: broad-based community commitment to revitalization, inclusive leadership and organizational capacity, diversified funding and sustainable program operations, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development, and demonstrated impact and results. Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America, said in a statement: 'Their tireless efforts show what's possible when engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive transformation.' Downtown Joplin Alliance's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Missouri Main Street Connection, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs that meet national community evaluation standards. In 2024, Downtown Joplin had nearly 350 housing units, with a 96% occupancy rate, with 200 additional units in development. Joplin's downtown is home to more than 500 businesses employing more than 5,000 people, many based in one of the 249 historic buildings in the district. Last year, Downtown Joplin Alliance accrued nearly 5,400 volunteer hours and was awarded $124,000 in grant funds. Last year, Main Street America programs generated $7.65 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,324 new businesses, facilitated the creation of 33,835 new jobs, rehabilitated 10,126 historic buildings, and logged 1.9 million volunteer hours.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Frederick Partnership has accreditation renewed
The Downtown Frederick Partnership has had its accreditation renewed for 2025 by the Main Street America organization for its work promoting business in the city's downtown. The Partnership joins 820 other communities across the country that have met the standards of the national organization, committed to maintaining economic development and community revitalization in towns and cities around the country. Downtown Frederick Partnership Executive Director Kara Norman said in a press release that the designation shows the organization's ongoing efforts to maintain a vibrant and resilient downtown that reflects the cit's character, history, and entrepreneurial spirit. To be accredited by the national organization, communities have to demonstrate a proven record of exceptional performance in six areas, according to a press release from the Partnership. The criteria are: •broad-based community commitment to revitalization •inclusive leadership and organizational capacity •diversified funding and sustainable program operations •strategy-driven programming •preservation-based economic development •demonstrated impact and results. In 2024, the Partnership facilitated more than 3,146 volunteer hours and supported the opening of 20 new businesses downtown, according to the release. It also hosted the Main Street Maryland Conference to discuss best practices in downtown revitalization, the state's first such conference. Along with the Partnership, Frederick County has five other Main Street communities — in Brunswick, Middletown, Mount Airy, New Market, and Thurmont.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New $100K grant to help with downtown Florence development
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Usually, restaurants and entertainment come to mind when people think of downtown Florence. But with a new, $100,000 grant, the Florence Downtown Redevelopment Corporation hopes to change that. For nearly 50 years, Main Street America has partnered with nationally recognized corporations and foundations to deliver grants and support local economies. Hannah Davis, the Main Street program manager of Florence, says the city was one of a few nationally chosen. 'We are one of three recipients of accelerator spaces in the country, which is really exciting that Florence was chosen,' Davis said. 'This facility is currently under design phase with the architects and the design company, and really, there isn't a whole lot to do.' This year, after applying for the grant, the Florence Downtown Economic Development Corporation was awarded $100,000 from the Hartfood, a Fortune 500 insurance company. The money will establish a two-storefront retail incubator space on the first floor of the 1900 square foot space on W. Evans Street. It's owned by the city of Florence and located directly across from the Florence City Center building and will house two businesses. 'So, with this physical space, which will be offered to two tenants for the first year, and we will be able to start accepting tenants, hopefully by the end of this year,' Davis said. 'We will start the application process and the vetting of tenants and getting them squared away and put into this facility.' The space will help small retailers grow from start-ups to established businesses and provide a supportive environment, like marketing and financial management. The program is not designed for dining or entertainment. 'This program specifically is for business owners who currently operate a pop-up shop, so if you're popping up a retail business at a festival or an event, or if you're at a farmers market currently, you can come here,' Davis said. 'People who are online business exclusively and people who have maybe tested with some pilot or tested with some pop-ups who aren't quite sure if they're ready for a brick and mortar — they will be able to come in here as well.' The program, once it's started, will have 12 classes throughout the year and will be open to small business owners who want to participate — whether you have a downtown business or not. The city will announce and accept applications later this year, here. The program will be up and running by May 2026. * * * Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
