Join Us

Mississippi Main Street Association's goal is to be proactive in providing its local designated community programs with the resources, training, advocacy and tools to be successful at implementing a program of work that follows the principles of the Main Street Approach. 

The following is a list of services available to local Main Street programs in good standing with MMSA. Local directors may request a visit or service through the Director of Community Services.

Downtown Vision Plan

• One-time Downtown Vision Plan for newly designated communities to provide guidance and resources for community design, work planning and community branding
• Market analysis and feasibility study
• Final report, branding package, and implementation guidelines

Sustainability Services

• One on-site staff consultation annually for a community service such as, but not limited to, the following:
  • ​Design, marketing, social media development, event analysis, retail training, board development training, workplan development, budget analysis and development, volunteer training, membership development, etc.
• One on-site work planning session annually
• Unlimited staff consultations via phone or Zoom
• Annual Program Evaluation and National Accreditation opportunity
• Official inclusion in MMSA statewide network of member communities
• Statewide advocacy and marketing

Training Opportunities

• New Director Training (one on one meeting)
• Main Street 101 Workshop (held annually)
• Trainings at Main Street Member discounted rate (includes annual Directors' Retreat, Destination Downtown and more)
• National Main Street Now Conference
• Regional "Deep Dives"
• Webinars
• Special training for local board of directors
• Special training for elected officials
• Partner trainings and conferences

Community Development Grants

• Designated communities are eligible for community development grant funds annually to incentivize development, improvement, and revitalization in their downtown districts (ongoing basis as funding allows)
• Reimbursable matching grant

Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grants

• All Main Street member organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit status are eligible to apply for funding up to $500,000 for downtown revitalization projects

Educational Resources

• Directors' Digest: Monthly digest of timely information, grants, upcoming events & partner information
• State of the Street: E-newsletter informing members and the public of what is going on at the state level
• Private Directors' Area on website (access to Report Generator, Resources, Grants and Presentations)
• Private Facebook Group for Main Street Directors
• The Hub: Online resource platform and discussion forum through Main Street America
• Zoom calls with MMSA Team and other Main Street Directors 

Branding and National Affiliation

• Exclusive rights to Mississippi Main Street Designated Community branding/status
• Membership to Main Street America that includes National Accreditation or Affiliate branding/status
• Weekly Main Street America emails and members' access to national website and member resources (mainstreet.org)
• Access to The Hub, a national online resource platform and discussion forum used to post questions and discuss issues across the nation with other Main Street programs

Communications and Marketing

• Statewide advertising and marketing endeavors, including radio, print and digital media
• Eligible to participate in co-op advertising opportunities in state and regional publications through MMSA
• Eligible to participate in other special promotions for members only
• Local events listed on MMSA calendar of events (msmainstreet.com)
• Local success stories promoted on MMSA website, social media pages, and E-newsletter
• News releases distributed to statewide media list

The Main Street Designated Community is the most prestigious level of membership. These communities are committed to operating a local Main Street program, have employed a local Main Street director, and are working to implement the Main Street Approach. Designated Community membership allows for ongoing training, support, and grant opportunities from the Mississippi Main Street Association. New communities must join as an Associate Member first, then apply to be a Network Community, and may be eligible to apply for Designated Community membership after two years of building capacity, meeting specific benchmarks, and fulfilling membership requirements.

 

Designated Program* Fee Structure:

• Year 1 - $10,000 
• Year 2 - $9,000
• Year 3 - $8,000
• Year 4 and ongoing - $2,650 annual dues

*The first three years of membership dues pay for a Downtown Vision Plan received in the first year of Main Street Designation. Costs are subject to change based on the cost of services at time of designation. Costs are estimated, and the final cost will be determined for each individual program.

 

Benefits

Designated Communities receive all the benefits of Network and Associate Communities, plus the following benefits:

• Statewide recognition as a Designated Community
• Onsite Designation Ceremony
• Downtown Vision Plan
• Annual onsite visit from MMSA staff
• Eligible to apply for Mississippi Main Street's Annual Awards
• Eligible to apply for Mississippi Main Street grants, including Community Development grants and statewide partnership grants
• Biennial program evaluation
• Eligible for National Accreditation
• Eligible for Mississippi Main Street Professional Certification
• Advertising opportunities exclusively for Designated Communities

Mississippi Main Street’s Network membership is designed for communities interested in improving the economic vitality of their downtowns with the goal of becoming a Designated community. This level is required for all new communities interested in operating a full-time Main Street program. Network Communities may apply for Designated Community membership after two years of building capacity, meeting specific benchmarks, and fulfilling membership requirements.

 

Membership Dues

• $1,500 annually

 

Benefits

Network Communities receive all the benefits of Associate Communities, plus the following benefits:

• Statewide recognition as a Network Community Member
• Two-year path to become a Designated Main Street Community
• On-site training and community development assistance from MMSA staff
• Access to The Hub, an online resource platform and message board provided by Main Street America
• Quarterly Network Cohort meetings with peer communities
• Eligible to apply for Mississippi Main Street Community Development grants
• Directors only access to online resources, including reinvestment statistics
• Private Facebook group for directors and GroupMe chat
• Statewide marketing and recognition as community focused on downtown revitalization
• Usage of Mississippi Main Street branding

The Associate Member is a membership level designed for municipalities, chambers of commerce, tourism agencies, and economic development organizations. This level is a starting place and does not have any requirements, and is perfect for communities or organizations interested in pursuing downtown revitalization.

 

Membership Dues

• $500 annually

 

Benefits

Associate Members receive the following benefits:

• Statewide recognition as a Main Street Member

• Opportunity to network with like-minded community leaders

• Influence in advocating for pro-downtown legislation

• Online subscription to quarterly State of the Street and monthly Directors' Digest

• Member discounts to attend Mississippi Main Street trainings and conferences

• Invitation to events and Annual Awards

• Access to MMSA webinars, including annual Main Street Approach™ training

• Access to Mississippi Main Street's "Downtown Toolbox" of community service providers

• Community listing on Mississippi Main Street website

 

Download the MMSA Membership Pathway. Interested in joining as an Associate member? Please fill out the Associate Member form, and a MMSA Team member will be in touch!