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Our Services Membership Pathway

Our Services

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 login to the Directors' Area to fill out an online Community Service Request Form to request a visit or service.

 

Resource Teams

  • One-time Downtown Roadmap resource team for newly designated communities to provide a roadmap for community design, work planning and community branding
  • Market analysis and feasibility study
  • Final report, branding package, and implementation guidelines from resource team

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 Quarterly Trainings)
  • National Main Street Now Conference
  • Regional Meetings
  • 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 (opens every August)
  • Reimbursable matching grant

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 Point: All Member Community and Mississippi Main Street Community 
  • "Fireside Chats" on Zoom 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 Point, a national online community digest 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

Membership Pathway

Designated CommunityThe Main Street Designated Community is the most prestigious level of membership. These communities are committed to running 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 1-2 years of building capacity, meeting specific benchmarks, and fulfilling membership requirements.

 

Membership Dues

  • Year 1 - $10,000 
  • Year 2 - $9,000
  • Year 3 - $8,000
  • Year 4+ - $2,650 annually

 

Benefits

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

  • One-time Mississippi Main Street Downtown Roadmap (value of $27,000+)
  • Eligibility to apply for Community Development Grants
  • Eligibility to apply for Mississippi Main Street's Annual Awards
  • Bi-annual program evaluation
  • Eligibility for National Accreditation
  • Opportunity to earn Circle of Excellence
  • On-site training, community development services, and annual visit from MMSA staff
  • Usage of Main Street America and Mississippi Main Street branding
  • Advertising opportunities exclusively for Designated Communities
  • Directors only access to online resources, including reinvestment statistics and grant opportunities
  • Private Facebook group for directors and access to "The Point"
  • Statewide marketing and recognition as community focused on downtown revitalization
  • Opportunity to network with like-minded community leaders
  • Online subscription to quarterly State of the Street and monthly Directors' Digest
  • Influence in advocating for pro-downtown legislation
  • Member discounts to attend Mississippi Main Street trainings and conferences
  • Community listing on Mississippi Main Street website
  • Access to MMSA webinars, including annual Main Street Approach™ training
  • Access to Mississippi Main Street's "Downtown Toolbox" of community service providers

Mississippi Main Street’s Network membership is designed for communities interested in running a local Main Street program and are building capacity with the ultimate 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 1-2 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 Member Community
  • 1-2 year path to become a Designated Main Street Community
  • On-site training and community development assistance from MMSA staff
  • Usage of Main Street America and Mississippi Main Street branding
  • Member discounts to attend Mississippi Main Street trainings and conferences
  • Access to The Point, an online message board provided by Main Street America
  • Statewide marketing and recognition as community focused on downtown revitalization
  • 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

  • Community listing on Mississippi Main Street website

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

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

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

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

  • Influence in advocating for pro-downtown legislation

  • Member discounts to attend Mississippi Main Street trainings and conferences

  • Community listing on Mississippi Main Street website

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

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

 

Become an Associate Member