Rhode Island is full of beloved village centers, downtowns and “main streets” that are ideal places for communities to gather and small businesses to prosper. However, thriving places don’t happen by accident, and far too many of our commercial corridors fall short of their potential. That’s why Rhode Island needs Main Street RI: a statewide Main Street coordinating program that supports the revitalization, growth and promotion of these great places. 

Main Street Legislation Approved!

Thanks to the RI General Assembly allocating $125,000 for FY 2025-2026 in support of our Statewide Coordinating Main Street program, we recently formalized our partnership with Main Street America to expand our programs and impact. This funding enables us to further build popular programs already underway such as our monthly, virtual Roundtable discussions and launch new initiatives such as our annual Conference and RI Main Street Learning Cohort.

The Main Street RI Coordinating Program

Main Street RI is a hub for communication, collaboration, training, and networking to build stronger, thriving commercial districts across Rhode Island. We are joining a powerful, longstanding nationwide network of Main Street leaders and practitioners. 47 state or regional coordinating programs across 43 states and DC, and 1600 local organizations currently participate in the Main Street America program — the impact is real, and we are bringing this movement to Rhode Island. 

Main Street RI’s Responsibilities and Goals

  • Manage a statewide network of stakeholders and streamline communication about Main Street practices
  • Serve as the official liaisons between Rhode Island and Main Street America’s national network
  • Build local capacity and provide direct technical assistance to interested and under-resourced communities
  • Advocate for policies, programs and standards that benefit and support healthy Main Streets
  • Develop sustainable funding for Main Street groups and projects

The Main Street Program: Demonstrated Results

Main Street America participants have calculated that between 1980 and 2024, Main Street districts around the country have produced the following results:

  • over $115 billion in private and public reinvestment has been generated
  • over 181,647 new businesses have opened
  • 815,894 jobs were created
  • 345,801 buildings have been rehabilitated
  • States with coordinating Main Street programs average approximately $30 of ROI $1 of investment

Get Involved

We are building a movement of interested stakeholders to help us grow this new program. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Sign up for our e-newsletter below.
2. Learn more and register for our free virtual monthly roundtables.
3. Attend our Main Street Together Conference in the fall.
4. Spread the word and share this page with your local leaders.