Main Street Alabama

☀️ Summer on Main Street means celebrating the people who make our downtowns come alive! Today we’re highlighting City Councilwoman Mrs. Linda Lawrence of Centreville, a small business owner and longtime supporter of Main Street initiatives, whose love for her community shines bright every summer.

She stated, “Summer time in Centreville is my favorite time of year. I always look forward to meeting new people and serving my customers once again. I love the Cahaba River Crawl Centreville Main Street puts on every June, it is my favorite event by far! It warms my heart to see young and old come together to enjoy our city's beautiful river and main street district, everyone gets along together and it is so beautiful to see. I enjoy working the event selling snow cones during the day and enjoying the concert in the evening. In the Summer, Centreville has travelers from all over the State and beyond come to see our beautiful town because of this event, I love talking to them to learn where they come from. Main Street helps bring life to our Centreville Summers, and that is what I look forward to most. In the Summer time we create memories that we talk about in awe about the rest of the year!”

🍧 From her snow cone stand with her best friend and fellow city councilwoman Dianne Epperson, to connecting with visitors and neighbors alike, Linda shows how Main Street brings people together and makes summer unforgettable in Centreville.

🌟 Main Street Alabama Grant Recipient Project | CTKI Architectural Design Service

In FY24, Main Street Alabama provided grants of up to $25,000 to all Designated Communities, supporting projects that strengthen historic downtown districts and drive economic vitality across the state. In Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District, Urban Impact Birmingham used this funding to support architectural design services for the restoration and future reuse of the historic Booker T. Washington Library.

Established in 1918 as Alabama’s first public library for Black residents, the Booker T. Washington Library played a vital role in expanding educational access and cultural opportunity during segregation. Today, plans are underway to restore and repurpose the building as the Cultural Tourism and Knowledge Institute. By funding early design work, Main Street Alabama helped move this transformational project from vision to action while honoring an important chapter of Birmingham’s history.

Historic 4th Avenue Business District

Congratulations to Athens Main Street on this exciting win!

Through a partnership between Main Street America and American Express, Athens-based architecture firm McKee and Company was awarded a $20,000 Backing Small Businesses Grant to support equipment upgrades and business growth.

This is a great example of how the Main Street movement connects communities and small businesses to opportunities that strengthen local economies. From technical assistance and training to national partnerships and grant programs, being part of a Main Street community can open doors that help businesses invest, grow, and continue serving downtown districts for years to come.

Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/wxMh50Zeca2

An upgrade ‘we’ve been dreaming about’: Athens architecture firm gets boost from ‘Shop Small’ grant - Athens The News Courier An Athens-based architecture firm is leveling up its in-house fabrication capabilities with laser precision, thanks to grant funding that its founder describes as a “catalyst” for research and development. Multi-disciplinary […]

🌿 Did You Know?

Main Street Alabama offers a free Landscape Guide available to communities across the state. This practical resource was created to help downtown districts enhance curb appeal, strengthen their sense of place, and make thoughtful landscaping choices that support vibrant commercial districts.

Inside the guide you will find:
• Recommended plants that thrive in Alabama’s climate
• Ideas for streetscapes, planters, and public spaces
• Guidance on creating attractive, low-maintenance landscapes
• Tips that help communities design welcoming downtown environments

Whether you are a city leader, downtown organization, volunteer group, or property owner, this tool can help guide landscaping decisions that make your Main Street even more inviting.

🌱 Explore the Landscape Guide and download it here:
https://ow.ly/yG7950YEyg5

Strong communities are built through leadership, partnerships, and intentional investment.

Join former Madison Mayor Paul Finley at the 2026 Summit of Excellence for “A Mayor’s Perspective on Economic Vitality,” a session focused on how communities can align leadership, small business support, and quality of life investments to drive long-term economic growth.

Drawing from his experience leading one of Alabama’s fastest-growing communities, Paul will share insights on the role elected officials, Main Street organizations, and local partnerships play in creating places where businesses thrive and people want to live, work, and invest.

This session is part of the Civic Leader Track and is especially valuable for elected officials, community leaders, and downtown advocates looking to strengthen their local economy through collaboration and strategic vision.

Register today for the 2026 Summit of Excellence:
https://ow.ly/Mats50Z5JQB

Across the Network | Roanoke, Alabama

Located along the Alabama Scenic River Trail, Roanoke has a downtown district rooted in history, local culture, and small-town character.

As a Main Street Alabama Network Community, Roanoke receives guidance as local leaders work to strengthen the downtown district. We recently met with city leaders to discuss progress made since last year’s Network Report and to consider recommendations for future revitalization efforts.

Main Street Alabama works with more than 65 communities across the state at the Network and Designated levels, all committed to strengthening downtown economic development and bringing new life to Alabama’s historic districts.

Interested in bringing this type of support to your community? Applications to join the Main Street Alabama Network will open again in August. Visit https://ow.ly/4poA50Z1f8x to learn more.

☀️ Summer on Main Street is a time to celebrate the people who help our downtowns thrive. Today we’re sharing a reflection from Laura Sonnen Crutchen of Cotton & Kudzu in downtown Eufaula, whose years of involvement highlight the power of collaboration through Main Street programs.

Here's what Laura had to say ⬇️
“I have been a member of Main Street Eufaula since its inception in 2001. Over the years, I have served on committees and boards and participated in numerous events and project collaborations as a business owner, artist, and friend. Working with our Main Street Director, Ann Sparks is a truly a pleasure. She is committed to the success of our downtown community.

Main Street Eufaula has provided our downtown merchants with a valuable platform to share our ideas, voice our opinions, and work together as a unified group. Through this collaboration, we help shape promotions and events that truly reflect what our downtown businesses want for our customers and identify ways we can continue improving in the future. Our downtown merchants have a shared commitment to the success of our businesses often using cross marketing within our businesses. Ann Sparks takes the lead, implements our ideas and puts them to work.

Main Street Eufaula provides access to valuable resources, grant opportunities, and collaborative initiatives, enabling us to contribute meaningfully to the continued success of our downtown as well as our own businesses.

I am proud to be part of an organization that brings our merchants together and continues to make our downtown a place where businesses and creativity can flourish.”

Stories like Laura’s are what Summer on Main Street is all about—celebrating the people, partnerships, and passion that keep our downtown districts vibrant all season long.

We are excited to welcome Shelley Paasch as the newest staff member of Main Street Alabama! As a member of the Program Development Team, Shelley will work directly with designated and network communities across the state to provide guidance and technical assistance related to revitalization efforts, organizational development, economic vitality, business support, volunteer engagement, and long-range planning. To read the full press release, visit https://ow.ly/4zmS50Zcp1j.

🌟 Main Street Alabama Grant Recipient Project | Farmers Market Seating

In FY24, Main Street Alabama provided grants of up to $25,000 to all Designated Communities, supporting projects that strengthen downtown districts and drive economic growth across the state. The Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority used this funding to install new seating at the Morgan County Decatur Farmers Market, including park benches, picnic tables, and seat walls that encourage visitors to stay, gather, and enjoy the space.

Previously lacking dedicated seating, the market now offers a welcoming environment for produce shoppers, festivalgoers, families, and tourists. The improvements support year round programming and have already contributed to increased foot traffic for nearby downtown businesses. With a total project investment of $78,790, this upgrade strengthens the Farmers Market’s role as a community gathering place and an economic driver for downtown Decatur.