Arizona Main Street

The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a proven methodology used to revitalize traditional commercial districts. Developed by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street is based on a comprehensive strategy of work, tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. Local staff and volunteers work to implement projects that create economic sustainability and community pride to improve the local quality of life within rural Arizona.

The Arizona Main Street receives $130,000 annually from the Arizona Lottery - Commerce and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) proceeds to provide the following services:

Techincal Assistance Organizational Planning and Board Development Grant Funding Business Resource Materials Workshops, Training and Conferences Click here for a list of the current Arizona Main Street communities with contact information.

Main Street Accediation Information

NEW! The Arizona Department of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Main Street Program will be conducting a pre-application workshop for communities interested in Main Street accreditation on January 30, 2009 10am-3pm in The Grand Canyon Room of the State Capital Executive Tower.

Eligible communities must be located in rural Arizona, have a population of less than 50,000 (according to the most recent U.S. decennial census) and be located outside of metropolitan Phoenix and metropolitan Tucson. Specific requirements can be found in the Main Street administrative rules at: www.azcommerce.com/doclib/commasst/Main_St_Admin_Rules.pdf.

For details on the application timeline, pre-application workshop and/or additional eligibility requirements for Main Street click: www.azcommerce.com/doclib/commasst/Appl_Timeline.pdf. 

Main Street Award Winners

NEW! View award winners presented at the 2008 Governor’s Rural and Regional Development Conference, held September 24-26 at the Carefree Resort.

The awards recognize outstanding projects, activities and individuals in Arizona’s Main Street communities.

National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center

The National Main Street Center is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Two decades ago, the Center created the Main Street Approach to commercial district revitalization. Today, it advocates the use of this approach for communities to revitalize their traditional commercial areas, using historic preservation and grass roots-based economic development. It serves as the nation’s clearinghouse for information, technical assistance, research and advocacy on preservation-based commercial district revitalization.