Main Street America Helping Mount Holly

BUILDING STRONGER LOCAL ECONOMIES

At Main Street America, we believe that supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and small-scale development builds community wealth and creates meaningful investment in communities.

Through our Small Business Support work, Main Street America is equipping both small business owners and economic development leaders with tools, resources, and opportunities to build stronger and more resilient local economies.

Use the buttons below to quickly navigate to the resources you’re looking for.

SUBSCRIBE FOR SMALL BUSINESS EMAILS

Get updates on new opportunities and resources delivered straight to your inbox!

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS & FUNDING

We are committed to providing grant and funding opportunities to support Main Street business owners and economic development leaders.

AMERICAN EXPRESS® BACKING SMALL BUSINESSES

The Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express, offers funding to small business owners.

Elisa Lyew, owner of Elisa's Love Bites in New York, NY, smiles and holds a tray of cookies in her bakery.

SEE ALL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

TOOLS & EDUCATION

Main Street America is committed to providing tools, resources, and education for enhancing economic vitality and fostering entrepreneurship in historic neighborhoods and commercial districts.

SMALL BIZ DIGITAL TRAINERS

Main Street America offers virtual and on-demand small business training through the Small Biz Digital Trainers program.

In a flower shop, two smiling women in aprons stand in front of a computer.

MAIN STREET BUSINESS INSIGHTS PODCAST

Learn about the innovative ways that Main Street businesses have overcome adversity, whether it’s starting a new enterprise or keeping a multi-generation business alive, and the advice they have for others on how to keep their businesses on track.

Image with dark blue background with multi-colored microphone, with text in front saying Main Street Business Insights Hosted by Matt Wagner, PhD.

MAIN STREET ONLINE TOOL

To use this tool, simply answer a series of questions. Based on your answers, you will receive a customized list of tools and resources on everything from POS systems, website platforms, and content creation software to help your business succeed.

A woman scans packages in an e-commerce warehouse.

DIGITAL TOOL

MAIN STREET AMERICA INSTITUTE

MSAI is the preeminent provider of professional development and network-building opportunities for downtown and commercial district leaders.

People are engaged in active discourse while gathered around a table.

AMERICAN EXPRESS® NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPIONS

With American Express, we invite organizations to bring small businesses and shoppers together on Small Business Saturday® and all year long.

A woman with blonde hair and a white sweater smiles while purchasing an item at a small business. A small business owner in a black baseball cap rings her up.

VIEW ALL RESOURCES

BUILDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS

We are committed to helping revitalization professionals lead and develop initiatives that support innovative entrepreneurship.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

Use this self-guided training to understand how to build a robust environment to support small business creation and sustainability.

PUBLICATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEMS

An article from State of Main exploring the impact of entrepreneurship and examining ways to create inclusion in the development of entrepreneurship ecosystems. Published in State of Main.