July 2021
Mary's Minute -Resiliency and Pride

I am so proud of how our Main Street programs handled the last 15 months, with dogged determination and endless creativity they carried on and helped their small, locally owned business get through as best they could. We will be sharing their wonderful stories at the Awards of Excellence Banquet during our annual conference, LAB, in Gadsden, August 18-20.

Main Street Alabama's COVID Response plan provided a free graphics package that businesses and communities could use to let people know they had everything from curbside pick up to a new online ordering system. We also provided a series of how-to videos to assist businesses with getting online, choosing the best payment system, social media and more. Additionally, there is a website dedicated to helping those small businesses and local leaders with consistent updates and ideas from all over the country provided by Downtown Professionals Network, Reopen Main Street website. 

West Huntsville Designation and Kickoff

Work begins in West Huntsville during the Resource Team visit July 27 - 29. The team will meet with various stakeholders, public officials, residents, and business owners during this time and will use their feedback to formulate their initial recommendations that will be presented during the public presentation on Thursday, July 27. Click to read more about West Huntsville Designation.
Introducing Jennifer, Main Street Alabama's Donor Relations Manager

Jennifer Schuette (pronounced Shoe-T) grew up in Greeley, Colorado and found her way to Alabama five years ago via Oklahoma and Texas. 

Her background is twenty years working for General Electric and Asea Brown Boveri in the Industrial Electrical division. Her specialties include technical training, human resources, process, organization, and on-site and classroom industrial electrical safety. Working in and around numerous papermills across the state has given her a unique perspective of small towns and small businesses all over Alabama. She can be reached at the office 205.943.4803 or cell at 817.875.9004.
Space for Reflection and Mediation - a Welcoming Addition to Downtown Fort Payne

A new Life Garden in Fort Payne offers a place for meditation and reflection. Click here to take a stroll with Connie Fuller, Fort Payne Main Street Director, as she describes just a few of the details featured in the garden.

Fort Payne isn't the only community launching new projects, click to continue reading about the work in Main Streets across the state.
Walking in the Wiregrass
By Tanya Maloney, Field Services Specialist

It is hard to get to know our Network Communities and their assets and challenges over a zoom call. But finally, we can get out and see each other. My first trip on my “Network to Designation” tour was to the Wiregrass Region where Main Street is mentoring a few communities in its Network Program.
Registration is Open!

Make plans to join us in Gadsden for LAB 2021.
Proceeds from the pre-commitments will benefit small businesses through grants and workshops. Have more questions? Learn more from the FAQ on our website.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ISSUES WITH THE TAG REGISTRATION PORTAL HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.

As a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program, Main Street Alabama helps to lead a powerful, grassroots network consisting of over 40 Coordinating Programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
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Main Street Alabama
880 Montclair Road, Suite 245
Birmingham, AL 35213
205.910.8819