
Planning, Capacity Building, Project Devlopment, and Grant Writing
for rural communities, governments, non-profits, and groups with a vision.
Rural Main Street Revitalization
This section is a growing collection of Rural Downtown & Main Street Revitalization articles. The first question I get from groups is always: Where do we start and do you have any examples? I share articles and case studies with these points to remember: Every town is different; talk within the town; ignore the negative people; just do it.
It's January 2022. Hopefully, we're close to the end of the COVID19 Pandemic. My workload has increased as Rural America is waking up to see that their often taken-for-granted natural surroundings have become treasured destinations and sought-after experiences by city and suburban dwellers. All of a sudden there are potential buyers of food, coffee, antiques, crafts, ag-activities, locally made gifts, lodging, and real estate driving past our boarded-up downtowns.
A shift is happening. People are beginning to seek a deeper connection to nature and the roots of a culture. This is gold to rural communities.
Here are some articles (pdf's and screenshots). If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Great Resource and Inspiration
Destination By Design ,Revitalization Projects.
Click on photo.
Selected Articles on Main Street Revitalization
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A Common Sense Approach to Reinvigorating Small Town America
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Why Main Streets are a Key Driver of Equitable Economic Recovery in Rural America
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Rural Main Streets Can't Achieve True Economic Revival Without Bridging Social Divides
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9 Historic Black Neighborhoods that Celebrate Black Excellence
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Rural Tourism - An important pillar in rural community development
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The Rebirth of Main Street - A Case Study of Five Small Towns
Black Placemaking - A Webinar hosted by NC Growth (Passcode: 12@8jbh&)
Black Landscapes Matter by Kofi Boone
The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities

Downtown Revitalization Master Plans - Examples
Worth visiting their website www.dbdplanning.com
Articles By Ed McMahon,
Senior Fellow, Urban Land Institute Washington DC
Chairman of the National Main Street Center’s Board of Directors
Articles on Economic Importance of Preserving Your Rural Features (Assets)
(Articles are 2011 time period but the message holds true.)
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Key's to Sustainable Tourism By EdMcMahon Powerpoint Presentation Slides from 2011 Conference on Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Border Public Lands