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Inspired by the shared belief that people and communities are the lifeblood of our great state, the Nebraska Main Street Network is dedicated to enlivening our downtowns as cultural and economic drivers for the future. 

"It's not about doing big visible projects, it's learning how and building our capacity to keep our downtown vibrant for the long-term. Having the ongoing support system that both the Nebraska Main Street Network and the National Main Street Center provides helps us stay on task and motivated unlike many of the other programs we've been involved in where well-intentioned people come in, recommend a project or hold a meeting and then leave us to figure things out on our own. The Nebraska Main Street Network is there for us no matter what happens."

--Local Main Street Board Chair

The Nebraska Main Street Network partners with communities to transform and revitalize their business districts through educational programming and technical assistance. Fostering entrepreneurs, promoting environmental sustainability while ensuring equity and diversity, we help communities preserve local history and their treasured architecture. We're making history from history!

News & Events

I am very happy to share this article on downtown multifunctionality/ functional diversity that was recently published in the JURR, a British journal focused on urban renewal and regeneration. It reflects my most recent thinking on this subject, as well as my efforts to add some analytical heft to it while also getting more people to find it of interest and importance.

Here’s the abstract:“In the large downtowns in the US, the adaption rates and impacts of ...

By N. David Milder

I am proud to share with you my article “How Our Downtowns’ Three Most Important User Groups Can Help Their Sustained Recoveries” that was recently published in the IEDC’s Economic Development Journal. It focuses on downtown workers, residents and visitors and covers our largest downtowns as well as those of more modest size. It presents several analytical conclusions that counter conventional wisdom. For instance, while the media have focused on the reduced presence of downtown workers in ...


Transformation Strategy Workshop

The Community Transformation Workshop is an engaging, interactive one-day training designed to equip participants with the foundational principles of transformation strategies informed by market analysis. This session will guide attendees through practical tools and techniques essential for addressing complex revitalization initiatives in their communities.

Participants will explore how to analyze their community’s market data, identify key trends, and develop actionable solutions tailored to their unique challenges. The workshop blends instructional content with hands-on activities, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and collaboration. Participants will not only gain a deeper understanding of market analysis techniques but also learn how to start translating these insights into effective workplans that support their organization’s revitalization efforts.

This workshop is open to Main Streeters, people interested in Main Street, and other community development professionals in Nebraska and neighboring states!

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