Michigan Main Street Process

Michigan Main Street Participation

Interested in participating in the Michigan Main Street Program? The first step is attending the Main Street Training Series, which provides:

A basic understanding of the Main Street Approach™
An overview of the strategies that build awareness and participation in future Main Street efforts

The Main Street Training Series is offered at no-cost online. The Main Street Training Series includes 2 training sessions: “Main Street Basics” and “Main Street In Practice.” Communities that complete the Training Series will learn the fundamentals of establishing a local Main Street Program and will be able to decide if Main Street is right for their community.

Communities interested in continuing to participate in the Michigan Main Street Program and reach the Engaged Level will need to complete the following activities:

Complete and return a Michigan Main Street Community Interest Form to: Leigh Young at youngl11@michigan.org
Develop a communications plan following the principles learned during the Main Street Basics Training Session
Develop a fund development plan following the principles learned during the Main Street In Practice Training Session

Learn more about the Main Street Training Series content and how to register.

Main Street Training Cohort Virtual Meet-ups

Michigan Main Street will facilitate virtual meet-ups bringing together a cohort of prospective main street communities every year to provide support in reaching the Engaged and Select Levels of the Michigan Main Street Program.

Program Deliverables:

Program participants will join three live, virtual learning sessions, each approx. 60-75 minutes long. The first 15-30 minutes will focus on training and the remaining time on facilitated peer group discussions
A director, board member or municipal manager/mayor from an existing Michigan Main Street Select or Master Level community will also join the discussion to provide tips and be available for questions
An opportunity to continue peer to peer learning with other prospective Main Street communities

Participant Eligibility:

Participants must have completed the Main Street Online Training Series
Community has completed and returned the Michigan Main Street Community Interest Form to Michigan Main Street staff

Program Dates and Registration Links:

Participation in the Main Street Training Cohort Meet-ups is available to eligible organizations and participants at no cost. .

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:00am – Introduction to Main Street Program and 2023 Participation Overview
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 9:00am – Building Support for Main Street
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 9:00am – Building Capacity for Main Street and Overview of Main Street Application opening Fall 2023

Community Expectations:

Determine up to 2 people from your community to attend the Virtual Meetings and email Leigh Young at youngl11@michigan.org to register and receive the Zoom meeting information by Monday, March 20, 2023.
Attendees must attend each of the 3 training sessions. Trainings build upon one another. Prep work that will help your organization implement the Main Street Approach will be assigned following each training and should be completed prior to the next class. This work will take no longer than 1-2 hours.
Participate in discussion, bring questions, and share your challenges and opportunities with your cohort.

Engaged Level

A community will officially be recognized as an Engaged Level Main Street Community once they have participated in the Main Street Training Series and have developed their communications and fund development plans. A community has up to three years to participate as an Engaged Level community working to implement their plans and apply to the Select Level. Communities interested in applying for the Select Level will need to complete the following activities prior to application.

Engaged Community Activities:

Identify or establish local MMS host organization
- 80% of the prospective local Main Street Organization Board must complete the online training series to be eligible to apply to the Select Level
- 50% of the prospective local Main Street Organization Board must participate in the Main Street Training Cohort Virtual Meet-ups to be eligible to apply to the Select Level
Implement communications plan
Implement fund development plan
Host community site visit

Select Level

Once a community has successfully fulfilled the requirements of the Engaged Level, they have the option to apply for the Select Level. At this level, communities can expect assistance in implementing the Main Street Approach™. Michigan Main Street staff, along with other professionals, work closely with Select Level communities to train their boards and committees, hire a full-time Main Street Director, recruit volunteers and get the program up and running. The Select Level requires a 5 year commitment from participating communities.

Master Level

The Master Level is available to communities that have successfully completed 5 years in the Select Level. The Master Level focuses on continuing to assist communities that have successfully integrated a full Main Street program into their community. This is achieved by continuing to offer Select Level trainings and networking opportunities through MMS, as well as the opportunity to act as mentors for other Michigan Main Street communities. The Master Level requires a 2 year commitment from participating communities. Communities have the opportunity to renew their participation for as long as they are actively practicing the Main Street ApproachTM.

For additional information about the Michigan Main Street program levels and services, download our Program Brochure.