Main Street Lansing hosts Main Street America representative to showcase progress and future plans during accreditation visit

Tuesday, August 12, Main Street Lansing welcomed Jonathan Stone, Program Officer of Revitalization Services for Main Street America, for an official accreditation visit. The day provided the opportunity to highlight the organization’s progress since its last review in 2023 and outline its vision for the future.

As an accredited Main Street America program, Main Street Lansing meets the highest national standards for downtown revitalization and community development. Accreditation is a mark of distinction that connects Lansing to valuable resources, training, and a network of communities across the country committed to preserving historic downtowns while promoting economic vitality.

During the visit, Stone met with board members, committee members, private and public partners, and toured the community - showcasing the many projects and improvements Main Street Lansing has led throughout the downtown and surrounding areas.

Main Street Lansing also presented its Transformational Strategies, a three- to five-year roadmap focused on economic growth, small business support, historic preservation, and fostering strong community connections. Stone provided valuable feedback and broad recommendations to help guide Main Street Lansing’s next steps, reinforcing the organization’s current direction while offering fresh perspectives to strengthen programming, deepen community engagement, and maximize the impact of upcoming projects.

Stone also provided valuable feedback and broad recommendations to help guide Main Street Lansing’s next steps. Local leaders say his insights reinforced the organization’s current direction while offering fresh perspectives to strengthen programming, deepen community engagement, and maximize the impact of upcoming projects.

FUTURE FOCUS
Looking ahead, Main Street Lansing’s biggest focus for the next three years is building resilience during the upcoming Black Hawk Bridge closure. In partnership with Main Street Iowa, the organization is preparing a series of promotions, marketing campaigns, and trainings designed to help the community not just survive the closure - but thrive through it. These efforts will focus on sustaining local businesses, attracting visitors despite detours, and making an even greater impact for Lansing’s year-round residents.

Alongside this, Main Street Lansing will be placing a major emphasis on strengthening its brand as an organization - ensuring that the community, visitors, and partners clearly recognize the value and mission of Main Street Lansing in driving economic vitality, preserving historic character, and fostering a connected, vibrant community.

“Being accredited by Main Street America is an incredible value to our community,” said Jackie Cooper, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing. “It validates our hard work, opens doors to critical resources, and keeps us moving forward with a clear plan for the future. We’re excited to continue building a downtown that is vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable for years to come.”

MAIN STREET LANSING
Main Street Lansing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and promoting Lansing’s historic downtown through economic growth, historic preservation, and community engagement. By working closely with local businesses, residents, and partners, Main Street Lansing strives to create a vibrant and sustainable community for all.

MAIN STREET AMERICA
Main Street America is a program of the National Main Street Center, providing technical assistance, resources, and support to communities across the country to foster economic development and preserve historic downtowns.