October 2, 2025 Grants are open now!
 10-2-2025| CELEBRATING MAIN STREET SUCCESS “Please join me in congratulating eight Main Street organizations as 2026 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists and celebrating their incredible accomplishments!” ERIN BARNES, President and CEO, congratulating the eight semifinalists for the 2026 Great American Main Street Awards. LEARN MORE   Save the Date: Small Business Saturday® Neighborhood Champions Application Opens Early October In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday® to back small businesses and keep communities thriving. Main Street America has been a proud supporter since the beginning, and we are honored to once again team up with American Express to help rally communities to support their local businesses for Small Business Saturday on November 29, 2025. We invite you to be a 2025 Neighborhood Champion to help boost the small businesses at the heart of our Main Streets. While supporting small businesses is important all year long, this one day can make a monumental difference in the lives of small business owners. Let’s rally together to make it the strongest, most impactful Small Business Saturday yet! The application opens in early October and will remain open until mid-November, or until all the spaces are filled. Complimentary merchandise kits will begin shipping within the first week of the application opening, so we recommend signing up as early as possible to receive your kit with plenty of time to get prepared before Small Business Saturday on November 29th this year. As in past years, all Main Street America members have been pre-qualified to serve as Neighborhood Champions on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited so claim your spot before applications close. All you need to do is fill out a brief Neighborhood Champion application and indicate you were referred by the Main Street America network. Mark your calendars and check back on our blog for the link and information to apply. You can read more about the Neighborhood Champion program on the American Express website. Terms Apply. With Small Business Saturday fast approaching, we’re eager to hear all about your plans and ideas! Whether you’re gearing up for a big event or trying something new, let’s get the conversation started. What’s on your agenda for Small Business Saturday? Share your event plans, innovative ideas, or any questions you have for other Main Street leaders. What has worked well for you in the past? Any standout promotions or successful events? We’d love to hear your tips and success stories! What new or creative strategies are you trying this year? Let’s inspire each other with fresh ideas and unique approaches! Drop your answers in the discussion forum on The Point here > And if you haven’t heard yet—the application to become a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion will open in early October! Keep an eye out for the application information coming soon. Events & Opportunities Community Placemaking Grants Funding for placemaking projects in select states. Apply by Oct. 13 Main Street Now 2026 Join us in Tulsa for the largest Main Street convening. April 13-15, 2026 Community Heart and Soul Grants Funding to implement the CHS model in your town. Rolling Applications Community Facilities Grants Develop community facilities in rural areas. Rolling Applications SEE ALL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIEST Mobile Hometown Grants – Applications Now Open Through T-Mobile Hometown Grants, towns with a population of 50,000 or less can get up to $50,000 to bring your community project ideas to life. The current grant cycle is accepting applications until Wednesday, December 31, 2025. T-Mobile is investing $25 million in 500 rural towns over five years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Since the program’s launch in 2021, T-Mobile has distributed over $19 million to 425 communities across the nation. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure funding for your community project. Learn more and apply >  Meet Incoming Board Chair John Mitterholzer. Last month, at the Main Street America Board of Directors meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, John Mitterholzer was selected as our incoming board chair, effective January 1, 2026. President and CEO Erin Barnes spoke to John about his Main Street journey, the importance of preserving places, and his work in climate justice. Read here > New on Main Street Business Insights: Testing Before Scaling When investors and banks say “no,” how do you prove a business concept can work? In this new episode of the Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner, MSA Chief Innovation Officer, is joined by Megan Peterson, social innovator and founder of Mendo LEAP in Ukiah, California. They discuss a strategic approach to launching a business that up-and-coming entrepreneurs could consider: launching a beta facility to prove market viability before scaling. Listen now > Overheard on The PointRemembering Tom Moriarity Senior Housing in downtowns New & Improved Member Portal Coming Soon! Shop Small Saturday IdeasMain Street HeadlinesThis Hometown Grant Program Lifting Up Main Streets Across America (USA) Forbes After the Pandemic ‘Reset Button,’ Downtowns Reinvent Themselves (USA) Bloomberg Copyright © 2025, National Main Street Center, Inc., All rights reserved.This email is a benefit of Main Street America membership. Main Street America53 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 350 | Chicago, IL 60604 312-610-5613 | info@mainstreet.org |