About Main Street Maryland
The Main Street Maryland Program began in 1998, and serves as the state coordinating program for the
National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program launched with 3 local communities and has grown to serve 50+ communities statewide. Main Street Maryland communities represent some of the strongest and most resilient business districts in the state. Housed in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street is a key program for community development and revitalization in Maryland’s historic downtowns.
The program strengthens the economic potential of Maryland’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods. Designated Main Street Maryland communities have made a commitment to improve the economy, appearance and image of their traditional downtown business districts.
Main Street Maryland Conference
The Main Street Maryland Program hosts an annual two-day conference each year that brings together economic development professionals, community leaders, and Main Street practitioners from across Maryland to share knowledge, best practices, and inspiring stories.
The goals of the conference are to:
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Inspire: Ignite passion and creativity among attendees through keynote speakers, a mix of ignite presentations and TED Talk-style presentations, and breakout sessions.
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Educate: Provide actionable insights and practical tools to help attendees strengthen their Main Street programs.
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Network: Facilitate connections between attendees to foster collaboration and partnerships.
For more information about the conference or register to attend, go to the
conference website hosted by our partners at Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).
The Main Street Approach
The
Main Street Approach is rooted in a commitment to broad-based community engagement, a holistic understanding of the factors that impact the quality of life in a community, and strategic focus on the core principles of downtown and neighborhood revitalization: Economic Vitality, Quality Design, Effective Promotion, and Sustainable Organization.
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ECONOMIC VITALITY: Focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
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DESIGN: Supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.
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PROMOTION: Positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.
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ORGANIZATION: Involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.
Maryland has expanded Main Street America’s this framework to include "Clean, Safe, and Green," emphasizing the state's focus on sustainable practices, litter reduction, and the creation of vibrant spaces that actively contribute to crime deterrence.
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CLEAN, SAFE, and GREEN: Enhancing the perception of a neighborhood through the principle of Smart Growth and sustainability.
Main Street Maryland Communities
The Main Street Maryland Program offers a tiered approach to support local revitalization efforts, tailored to communities at different stages of readiness and capacity for engaging in the Main Street Approach. The tiers are Designated, Aspiring, and Connected; each is described further below.
Designated Main Streets drive sustained, place-based economic revitalization using the full Main Street Approach. As
accredited programs with the National Main Street Center, these communities demonstrate a commitment to fostering economic development; preserving local historic and cultural resources; establishing volunteer support and stakeholder partnerships; and raising both in-kind and financial support from their local government and others.
Connected Main Streets are commercial neighborhood districts not yet eligible for designation under the Main Street Maryland program. These communities are interested in addressing community economic development opportunities through the application of one or more pillars of the Main Street Approach.
Aspiring Main Streets have expressed interest in and are ready to learn more about how to become a designated Main Street. Aspiring communities complete a two-year training program offered by Main Street Maryland to build a strong foundation that will lead to achieving accreditation with the National Main Street Center.
To learn more about all Main Street Maryland communities, visit the
Main Street Maryland website.
How to Become a Main Street Maryland Community
Becoming a Main Street Maryland community includes an application for all tiers and acceptance by the Main Street Maryland program. It is expected that the application process will re-open in May 2026.
For communities interested in applying to Main Street Maryland, we recommend spending time assessing readiness, immersing in the
Main Street Approach, gathering stakeholders including local government leaders, visiting established Main Streets, and determining your goals for the program. After you’ve considered these, Main Street Maryland staff would like to hear from you. Find our contact information below.
Be sure to review the program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for answers to commonly asked questions about the program.
