Mississippi Main Street Association

09/03/2026

Wondering what the next step is for progressing your community's downtown revitalization?

Becoming an Associate Member of Mississippi Main Street Association is a great place to start. The pathway starts with you!

Join us as an Associate Member today!
Join MMSA: https://form.jotform.com/93244451229153

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

!! ARPA Spotlight !!

The Downtown Crystal Springs Façade Master Plan provided a strategic framework for improving the appearance and condition of commercial buildings throughout the downtown district. By addressing deteriorating façades and encouraging coordinated property improvements, the project supports existing businesses, attracts private-sector investment, stimulates redevelopment, and strengthens the overall economic vitality of downtown Crystal Springs.

09/01/2026

Become a Main Street Superhero! ⚡️

Every superhero needs a team, and our investors are an important part of ours! 💥

From Friends of Main Street to our larger investors, these supporters believe in the power of Main Street and the impact that our downtowns have on communities across Mississippi.

They know that the quality of place is a fundamental building block for strong communities and economic development. By investing in Mississippi Main Street, you are helping us continue our work to strengthen communities, support local businesses, and create thriving downtowns across our state.

Ready to suit up? 🦸‍♂️

Join the mission and become a Main Street Superhero today! 💥

Become a Main Street Superhero: https://pci.jotform.com/form/240445022413139

08/28/2026

🏆 Award Spotlight!! Outstanding New Event | Wayne-Sanderson Farms Wing Wars

The Wayne-Sanderson Farms Wing Wars exemplifies what is possible when a Main Street program and a major community employer build something together. Wayne-Sanderson Farms — one of Laurel's largest employers, with a full processing complex operating in the city — serves as signature sponsor and provides all chicken wings as an in-kind donation, bringing their product and their people directly into the heart of downtown.

Wayne-Sanderson Farms employees serving on the Laurel Main Street Board of Directors help shape the event from within, ensuring the partnership runs deeper than a sponsorship agreement. Locally crafted trophies, designed by a Jones College art instructor, reflect that same spirit of homegrown collaboration at every level.

Now in its second year and drawing over 1,000 attendees annually to the historic 400 Block of North Magnolia Street, Wing Wars has become a beloved fall tradition that brings the entire Laurel community to the table.

08/27/2026

For Thankful Thursday, we’re grateful for Mississippi Main Street and the communities across the Hills that are investing in their historic downtowns. The Main Street Approach helps communities build on the local businesses, historic buildings, public spaces, and stories that give a downtown its character. We’re proud to work alongside Mississippi Main Street and local partners to help preserve heritage while supporting vibrant places to live, work, and explore.

In 2026, the Hills is helping fund Mississippi Main Street Roadmap Refreshes in Booneville, New Albany (pictured), Ripley, and Tupelo. The Roadmap Refreshes will entail a multi-step process that builds local capacity and prepares each community for long-term success in their revitalization efforts.

08/27/2026

Main Street at Work!

Our team has been all over the state recently, connecting with students, supporting local businesses, and working alongside communities.

We had the opportunity to share how Mississippi Main Street serves as a leader in economic development with students at the University of Mississippi School of Business, giving them a closer look at the work happening across our state to strengthen downtowns and local economies.

We also shared social media strategies with business owners to help them prepare for the holiday season, from seasonal promotions to engaging customers online during one of the busiest times of year.

And, of course, our team has been hitting the road to tour downtowns and connect with local leaders, including a recent visit to Bay St. Louis.

08/27/2026

Thank you to all of our Deep Dive sponsors and hosts! Each community went above and beyond, helping host and sponsor our Deep Dive trainings for 2026!

Deep Dive Sponsors and Hosts:
Citizens National Bank
Scooters Coffee Carthage
City of Carthage
Lou’s on the Square
GE Formals
La Federicks
The Brewed Bean
The Citizens Bank
Hometown Healing
Flaunt
The Eagle’s Nest
East Main Ole Market
Uptown 101
Carthage-Leake County Library
Main Street Chamber of Leake County
Laurel Main Street
Neel-Schaffer Inc
Cater's Market Starkville
Downtown Starkville
Downtown Hattiesburg Association
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau
Downtown Tupelo
Tupelo Farmers Market at the Depot
The CREATE Foundation

08/26/2026

Our next community spotlight is... Picayune!

This year, Picayune Main Street is celebrating 30 years as a Main Street organization!

30 years of believing that the history, the downtown, and the community are worth investing in.

And we are seeing that investment come to life.

Before the year ends, five new businesses will open downtown, bringing new energy, new investment, and new opportunities to our historic district. On October 24, Stars, Stripes & Soul will bring the community together downtown for an evening celebrating music, connection, and the people who make Picayune special. And November 7 & 8, Picayune will welcome thousands of visitors to our 64th Semi-Annual Fall Street Festival.

Historic preservation and downtown investment are happening on both sides of the railroad tracks. Façade projects are being completed, others are underway, and more are planned. Historic buildings are being refreshed and given new purpose while retaining the character that makes Downtown Picayune unique.

As Picayune celebrates 30 years, the community is especially grateful for the people who helped lay the foundation for this work, including Picayune Main Street Emeritus Mr. Bill Edwards, who designed the mural at one of his downtown properties at 129 West Canal/Ruby Street. His words capture so much of what Main Street is about:

"When old meets new, history is not left behind—it becomes part of the journey forward."

The railroad has been part of Picayune's story from the beginning, shaping transportation, commerce, and the growth of the community. Today, it still runs through the heart of downtown, dividing East and West—but there is an opportunity to make those two sides more connected, vibrant, and invested in.

That is the work of Main Street. Preservation creates opportunity. Investment creates momentum. Events create connection. And people make it all possible.

Thirty years later, Picayune is proud to see the work continuing—and even more excited about the future being built together.

That is the work of Main Street. Preservation creates opportunity. Investment creates momentum. Events create connections. And people make it all possible.

08/24/2026

Day in the life downtown!
📍Pascagoula, MS