Wyoming Main Street is a coordinating program of Main Street America that serves the state of Wyoming through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
Wyoming Main Street is a coordinating program of Main Street America and the Wyoming Business Council, providing technical assistance and support to communities interested in revitalizing their downtown.
Focused on building capacity and sustainability, Wyoming Main Street works with all sizes of communities across the state. The Main Street approach is a grassroots method of economic and community development, focusing on small business, historic preservation, and inclusivity. Main Street is community-led, relying on resident feedback and volunteers.
Wyoming Main Street builds community capacity and fosters economic resilience by partnering with grassroots organizations to revitalize downtowns and create genuine place-based experiences.
Empowered communities with distinctive downtowns, resilient local economies, and dedicated local leaders.
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Rural communities face unique challenges. At the Wyoming Business Council, we work tirelessly to find new ways to increase the capacity of rural communities, building on the unique character and needs of each community.
The Main Street Lite program is one of those tools.
Wyoming Main Street is an economic development tool embracing revitalizing of our historic districts, bringing life back into the center of our community, encouraging commerce, and a place for residents and visitors alike to socialize and shop.
Some towns do not have the staff, the time, or the money to invest in the Wyoming Main Street program, so the Wyoming Business Council created the Main Street Lite Program. All towns can benefit from the principles and resources of Wyoming Main Street.
In 2019, Shopko shuttered 13 retail stores in Wyoming. In response, the Big Horn Basin region brought in National Main Street Center consultant Matt Wagner to speak with the community, gather data about retail leakage, gaps, and opportunities in the local retail landscape.
With the help of the Wyoming SBDC, Wagner analyzed the data and provided the community with some actionable items.
From that process, we’ve put together a booklet to show how your community might approach a similar problem.
You can also watch Wagner’s presentation of his analysis and the process here or check out his slideshow separately here.