Main Street America Employee Directory
Architecture and PlanningIllinois, United States51-200 Employees
Main Street America coordinates a nationwide program focused on economic development and revitalization in older and historic commercial districts, with the aim of fostering sustainable and equitable communities by supporting the people and places that give Main Streets their character. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the organization operates within the architecture and planning field and traces its origins to the National Trust's Main Street program established in 1980 to address the effects of sprawl and shifts in retail on town centers. Today, the approach covers both rural and urban areas, with more than 1,200 communities in 45 states participating and over 2,000 communities engaged since its inception; a high share of participating places are in low- to moderate-income census tracts. The program runs two signature initiatives—Main Street America and UrbanMain—that provide direct support to local leaders in small towns, mid-sized cities, and urban neighborhoods. In 2026, Main Street America expanded collaborations with partners such as the U.S. Bank Foundation to offer webinars that help small business owners develop skills to access capital and build durable, sustainable ventures.