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AT A GLANCE

SPECIAL: We are now accepting applications for our RI Main Street Learning Cohort! Application Deadline: December 1st.

EVENTS:

Questions about the Learning Cohort? Attend our Info Session on November 13th at 12pm over Zoom. REGISTER

MEDIA:

Main Street Together Recap: did you make it? If so, please take our survey! If not, don't worry, you can still watch the keynotes!

Bringing Farmers Markets to your Main Streets: watch the recording from our September Roundtable featuring Farm Fresh RI's Thea Upham and read our blog post.

Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast: The latest episode features Sara Breslin from the Wakefield Village Association. Check out all seven episodes wherever you listen.

Winter Placemaking: Check out our growing resource guide of tips and tools to help you keep the fun and foot traffic going on your Main Street all season long.

PARTNER NEWS AND PROGRAMS:

We're excited to be collaborating with several other mission aligned organizations here in Rhode Island. Be sure to catch all that they're up to at the bottom of this Newsletter. 

What does a RI Main Street Look Like? 
It Looks Like You!

More important than the streetscape and buildings on a Main Street are the many people it takes to make the place come alive. It's with this in mind that we're launching our RI Main Street Learning Cohort to equip and empower Main Street community members to improve their local districts.

Are you ready to take action on behalf of your commercial district? Between January – June, 2026 Main Street America will be leading monthly workshops here in Rhode Island discussing actual processes for implementing the Four Points and exploring different transformation strategies. This “learning cohort” is designed for groups of people from different communities around RI, with each session including suggested action items to translate talk into concrete steps forward.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1st

Questions? Interested in Learning More? Attend our Learning Cohort Info Session on Thursday, November 13th from 12-1pm over Zoom.

Main Street Together Conference Recap

We had a tremendous day on October 25 in Cranston's Rolfe Square where we co-hosted our first Main Street Together Conference! Individuals from 20 different cities and towns across Rhode Island showed up to learn from seasoned main street leaders and connect with others working to build more vibrant main streets.

Were you one of those in attendance? If so THANK YOU for coming!

Can you take a moment to share your feedback?

Miss the Keynotes? Don't Worry, Watch them Now

Watch all of the keynotes

Miriam Parson, Main Street America

An introduction to Main Street America: Making the Case for a Main Street program. WATCH



Teresa Valliere Friends of Woodfords Corner in Portland, ME

Starting a New Local Main Street Program: Friends of Woodfords Corner

Hear how one neighborhood hub in Portland, ME went from having no formal community organization to an Affiliate Main Street Program in ten years. WATCH

Clark Shoettle

The Origin Story: The Main Street Four Point Approach

Did you know that Providence's Clark Schoettle was one of the original project managers of the National Trust Main Street Project, and key architects behind the Four Point Approach? Hear the story from Clark! WATCH

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Farm Fresh RI’s Thea Upham shared what it takes to make farmers markets take root and flourish on your Main Street



PRESENTING THE LATEST FROM....

Main Street: a Power of Place Podcast

Our latest Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast episode features Sara Breslin from the Wakefield Village Association. She dives into the impact of their trick-or-treating event along their Main Street.

We've visited seven RI districts so far. Listen on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify today!

Is it Just Us, or is it Getting Chilly Out There?

Let's Talk Winter Placemaking!

Bundle up and step outside—winter’s coming to Main Street! We’ve put together a handy guide full of tips and tools to help you keep the fun (and the foot traffic) going all season long. We want to expand on what we've got here, so if you have tips to share with others in our Main Street community, please let us know!

Word on the Street

Main Street Events

Everyone knows about Waterfire, but when was the last time you attended a lighting? It's just as magical now as ever. Having just approved a bond to buy the WaterFire Arts Building as a means of supporting the struggling nonprofit, it's clear Providence's City Council understands the role public art and programming plays in the economic vitality of downtown. Next lightings are on Sat. Nov. 15 and Wed. Dec. 31st. Here's the schedule.

Newport Illuminated Boat Parade, Newport Waterfront, November 28th: view the dazzling display of nautical holiday spirit from many points on the Newport waterfront as the decorated vessels circumnavigate Newport Harbor.  

Reading

Main Spotlight: Understanding Main Street Leadership Main Street America, November 4


Spotlight: Five Ways to Prepare For Disasters and Crises in Your Downtown

Advice and insights from the Natural Disaster and Crisis Response Survey: Main Street America, October 14

How to Add More Housing Downtown: Six Lessons From Real Main Street Communities: Main Street America, October 10

Webinar

Rightsizing Resources in Uncertain Times: November 7, 11-4pm 
Hosted by the International Economic Development Forum, this course provides frameworks for navigating resource constraints and disruptions. Through practical exercises, you’ll learn how to prioritize programs, sustain stakeholder support, and communicate effectively under pressure. Free to Register

Opportunities

The RI Infrastructure Bank Community Project Assistance Fund is currently accepting applications for technical assistance grants supporting design, feasibility analysis, needs assessment, strategic planning, and engineering projects that advance community resiliency, stormwater management improvements, and the enhancement of public infrastructure. DEADLINE: Rolling

T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program

Through T‑Mobile Hometown Grants, towns with a population of 50,000 or less can get up to $50,000 to bring your community project ideas to life. T‑Mobile is investing $25 million in 500 rural towns over five years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. DEADLINE: December 31

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