The "Main Street Project"[1] was begun in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a pilot involving 3 towns: Galesburg, Illinois; Madison, Indiana; and Hot Springs, South Dakota.
[2] Based on the success in those three towns, a pilot project followed in six states: Texas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
[4] One requirement of being a "Designated" program is to appoint a full-time staff member, often called a main street manager.
[7] William E. Mosher, executive director of Tucson's Downtown Development Corporation was elected president in January 1987.
The first ever statewide historic preservation conference, "A Sense of Place" was held June 2003 with support from the Arizona Main Street Program.
At the time of founding the Gates Foundation gave $100,000 to underwrite free design services in Main Street communities.
At the time of founding the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation raised $100,000 to provide design assistance to Main Street Communities.
At the time of founding banking industry leaders held two conferences to discuss innovative financing programs.
Thomas Gregory currently serves as the executive director and state coordinator for the Mississippi Main Street Association.
[52] Previous state coordinators include Bob Wilson, Beverly Meng, Stacy Pair and Scott Barksdale.
A state-wide non-profit organization was formed in 2004 and recognizes communities in the following categories: Accredited, Associate, Affiliate, and Aspiring.
That has not prevented a number of communities from pursuing downtown revitalization, with several that have faithfully followed the Main Street Approach.
No designated programs The South Carolina Downtown Development Association was formed as a private, nonprofit organization in 1984.
Five of the original towns in the South Carolina Main Street Program named in 1984 were Sumter, Chester, Union, Lancaster, and Georgetown.
That call for supporters reflected on the effectiveness of a grassroots approach to achieve community revitalization over the past 16 years.
[75] Non-Designated Communities After the "Main Street Project" concluded in 1979, Texas one was one of the first six states selected for establishment of a statewide coordinating program.
[79] In 1981, Seguin received a "Resource Team" that spent a week with business and civic leaders, bankers, elected officials, and the newly appointed Main Street Manager.
Over the next 3 years plans to rehab several building were aided by a low-interest loan pool established by local banks.