MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION HOLDS MAIN STREET DAY AT THE CAPITOL, LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON
03.05.2026
JACKSON, Miss. — March 4, the Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) held a press conference at the Mississippi State Capitol to thank legislators for the community and economic development successes of the Mississippi Main Street Association and its member communities.
Speakers included Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, Rep. Jody Steverson, Rep. Sam Creekmore, Senator Bart Williams, MMSA Board President Kelle Barfield, MMSA Vice President Chance McDavid, and MMSA Executive Director Jeannie Waller Zieren.
MMSA has 91 community members, and Main Street representatives from all over the state were in attendance.
Following the press conference, a luncheon was held with legislators at the Capital Club where Lt. Gov. Hosemann shared remarks on the importance of supporting Main Street organizations that serve as the "front door" to Mississippi communities. Hosemann thanked Main Street directors for the hard work and often unrecognized work they do in their communities. He emphasized the importance of people in Mississippi and how the work of Main Street is essential to building quality of life.
"Showcasing Mississippi and our small towns is fundamental to selling our state," Hosemann said. "From small town Main Streets to our largest tourism destinations, tourism drives economic development, strengthens small businesses, and returns direct investment to our communities."
"I want to see my grandchildren grow up and live here in Mississippi," he concluded.
In 2025, MMSA helped to catalyze 361 new businesses, 73 business expansions, 834 new jobs, 139 rehabilitation projects, 1,526 downtown residential units, 115 new construction projects, and 116 public improvement projects. $78,243,814 in public dollars have been invested, along with $130,953,055 in private dollars, in Mississippi Main Street downtown districts.
"The support Mississippi Main Street Association receives from officials in all areas of state government is remarkable, from the governor's office and across the Senate and House," said Kelle Barfield, MMSA Board President. "It's important to voice our appreciation at Main Street Day at the Capital but also to reinforce our statewide commitment to growing the economies of our communities through the work of dedicated local Main Street programs and MMSA board of directors and staff. If there's one thing we all agree on, it's that growth from Mississippi's Main Streets touches everyone and has no limit."
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About the Mississippi Main Street Association
The Mississippi Main Street Association is a catalyst for the preservation and economic revitalization of Mississippi’s historic downtowns and traditional commercial districts. Since 1993, MMSA has provided more than $7 billion in public and private re-investment back into Main Street communities.
The Mississippi Main Street Association provides visionary leadership to Mississippi’s most storied places. We foster economic and community development through strategies that promote community engagement, pride of place, and quality design to achieve long-term economic growth. MMSA empowers Mississippi’s local Main Street leaders to create vibrant places and thriving economies by implementing the Main Street Approach — organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality. For more information, visit www.msmainstreet.com.
