About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Mississippi Main Street Association is to administer the Main Street Programs, and its four-point approach of Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Development; and to assist the cities and towns in Mississippi in revitalizing their downtowns. In our small, rural communities, the "Main Street Approach" generally becomes the community and economic development effort for the entire town.

History and Benefits

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) established the National Main Street Center in 1980 to provide support and to encourage the revitalization of Main Street based on historic preservation and sound business practices. To date, all 50 states and over 2,800 communities participate in the Main Street program nationwide. What began as a historic preservation program has evolved into one of the largest economic development programs in the United States.

The Mississippi Main Street Association, a private, non-profit organization, contracted with the Mississippi Development Authority in 1989 to implement and administer the Main Street Program, and to direct the revitalization efforts of downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods throughout Mississippi's cities and towns.

MMSA provides technical assistance to member towns of the Association as well. Member towns focus on issues embraced by the Four Point Approach of Main Street that are designed to match resources available in their communities.

Because of strong partnerships and coordinated efforts, MMSA has been successful in assisting with the creation of thousands of new businesses and new jobs in the central business districts in our Main Street programs across the state. By utilizing the Association's expertise, resources, and technical assistance, once deteriorating downtowns are now becoming vibrant and viable, and are taking their rightful place as the heart, center and core of their communities.

Communities participating in Main Street commit to a comprehensive, long-term, on-going, revitalization effort, understanding that the self-help principle is an integral part of the process.

Main Street Overview

1. In 1980, the National Trust created the National Main Street Center
2. Main Street programs now exist in 50 States
3. In 1989, MDDA (now, MMSA) contracted with MDECD (now, MDA) to implement and manage the Mississippi Main Street Program
4. Currently, MMSA has 51 active Main Street Programs and 22 member municipalities.  Since 1993, Main Street has generated:
5. Over $2 Billion in private and public investment
6. (Includes over $300 million in public investment)
7. 3720 new businesses opened
8. 21,260 new jobs created
9. Over 1,954 buildings rehabilitated
10. Cost of each job to the State:  $191 vs “over” $2,800 per job for National Main Street communities
11. Cost of each business to the State:  $1,092 vs 11,490 for National Main Street communities

Main Street is the State's most effective Economic Development tool now operating in Mississippi.