Main Street

Washington Main Street

Washington Main Street helps communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown districts using the successful Main Street Approach™, a comprehensive revitalization strategy built around a community’s unique heritage and attributes. Washington Main Street is a program of the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, managed under contract by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

About Main Street


Why Main Street Matters

The power of Main Street in Washington State is irrefutable. Our 2020 Impact Study report showcases how Main Street makes economic, fiscal, and social sense as a powerful tool and investment strategy. Main Street has the economic recovery tools our communities need right now.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, we have seen how local Main Street organizations have served as lifelines to their small businesses through uncertainty, the deluge of information, and wave after wave of challenges. Story after story confirmed that there is something truly special about doing business in a Main Street district, and our 2022 Business Resiliency Study pulls together data to give a clearer picture of how WA Main Streets rebounded from the pandemic.

Read the Report


WA Main Street Network

Local organizations in Washington State dedicated to downtown revitalization can join the Washington State Main Street Program at either the Main Street Community or Affiliate level. Learn more about joining WSMSP and meet our current Communities and Affiliates here:

Meet the Network


Resources

Using local resources and initiative, Washington Main Street helps communities develop their own strategies to stimulate long term economic growth and civic pride. We provide access to information, help getting focused, and community support and guidance to individuals and organizations interested in downtown revitalization.

Visit our Resource Library for Main Street guides, historic preservation and placemaking tools, and non-profit best practices and resources.

Resource Library


PLACES Conference

PLACES (formerly RevitalizeWA) is Washington’s annual statewide conference focused on historic preservation and economic revitalization. PLACES is brought to you by Washington State Main Street Program, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.

PLACES 2024


Excellence on Main

The Excellence On Main Awards are organized by the Washington State Main Street Program to recognize communities, organizations, and individuals who are helping to create sustainable communities and economic vitality in Washington State through downtown revitalization and preservation. Applications by Main Street Communities and Affiliates are accepted starting each summer and are awarded at RevitalizeWA later that fall.

Excellence on Main Info


Tax Credit Incentive

The Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program provides a Business & Occupation (B&O) or Public Utility tax (PUT) credit for private contributions given to eligible downtown organizations. Once a business’ donation request is approved by the Department of Revenue, they are eligible for a tax credit worth 75% of the contribution to designated Washington Main Street Communities. Learn more here:

Tax Credit Incentive Program


Contact Us

Washington Main Street is here for you! Main Street Communities and partner organizations, please reach out to Washington Main Street Director Breanne Durham at 206-489-2287 or by email. Affiliates and start-up programs, please reach out to Main Street Specialist Jonelle McCoy at 509-202-4299 or by email. Get to know your Main Street team on our staff page.