Michigan Main Street Communities Achieve Milestone Anniversaries

Since 2003, Michigan Main Street (MMS) has assisted communities across Michigan interested in revitalizing and preserving their historic traditional downtowns or commercial districts.

A total of 23 communities currently participate in the MMS program at the Select and Master levels, working to add vibrancy to Michigan’s communities and improve the quality of life for Michiganders throughout the state.

In 2025, six MMS communities will mark a celebration as they reach milestone anniversaries in their journey toward revitalization and growth: Historic North End Main Street in Detroit and Main Street Grosse Pointe (five years), Howell Main Street (10 years), Wayland Main Street and Downtown Lansing Inc. (15 years) and Grand Haven Main Street (20 years).

These milestone anniversaries recognize years of dedication and local pride and testify to the impact of placemaking programs from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to help build stronger, more resilient communities.

5 Year Main Street Anniversaries

The historic North End/Milwaukee Junction neighborhood of Detroit and the city of Grosse Pointe were selected to take part in the Select Level of the MMS program in June 2020. Over the past five years, North End Main Street – a subsidiary of Vanguard Community Development – and Main Street Grosse Pointe have received technical assistance from the MEDC to help attract new residents, business investments, economic growth and job creation to their central business districts.

In the span of five years, North End has amassed over 3,000 hours of volunteer support to grow popular programming like Holiday Shop & Stroll, construct a building and business inventory, and host networking opportunities designed to connect business owners and residents in the district to help the district thrive. Most recently, North End received a Main Street Vibrancy grant in June 2025 to support North End/Milwaukee Junction Summer Sundays on the Blvd – a vibrant, community-centered market series featuring diverse culinary talent, local artists, farmers and craft makers. The market will also feature art installations, family-friendly activities and live music throughout the summer. 

“As we celebrate five years of our Historic North End Main Street, we’re reminded of the vision and investment it has taken to get here,” said Lisa Tucker, VP of economic development at Vanguard Community Development Corporation. “With nearly half a million dollars directly from Vanguard and generous support from partners like LISC Detroit, the Knight Foundation, Huntington Bank, and others, we’ve been able to power transformative projects that strengthen our local economy. This milestone is proof of what’s possible when timing, teamwork, and community commitment come together to create lasting impact.”

With over $3.5 million tracked in private investment dollars since 2020 and tallying 19 new businesses opening their doors as well as 35 façade and building improvement projects, Grosse Pointe Main Street’s efforts have helped create a visually appealing and vibrant physical environment that honors the district’s history and fuels their goal of an experience-based retail economy. In July 2025, Grosse Pointe received a $22,636.70 Match on Main grant to support Chez Loulou Salon to support Chez Loulou Salon; the Match on Main program serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding for them to launch or grow in core downtown areas and commercial districts.

In February 2024, North End and Grosse Pointe were among nine MMS communities to receive Main Street Vibrancy grants for the Light Up Main Street and Get to the Pointes placemaking projects, respectively.

For the past five years, North End and Grosse Pointe have seen a tangible impact on their downtown corridors thanks to the MMS program.

10 Year Main Street Anniversary

Celebrating 10 years as an MMS community, Howell also has the distinction of being named the 2018 winner of the Great American Main Street award, presented by the National Main Street Center (NMSC). Selected by a national jury, the Great American Main Street award winners serve as exceptional models for comprehensive, preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The NMSC recognized Howell Main Street’s achievement in transforming the downtown district into a cultural destination.

Howell Main Street supports Downtown Howell’s goals of preserving historic assets while enhancing community vibrancy through thoughtful development, supporting a diverse range of small businesses and fostering connections with stakeholders to drive shared success. “The Howell Main Street program plays a vital role in inviting and keeping patrons engaged in our downtown, which in turn helps our small businesses prosper,” said Jen Webb, owner of Louie’s Muffler & Automotive Services. “Owning multiple businesses, I’ve noticed the human connection the HMS program has provided between the business owners and their patrons. The variety of activities provided has become a canvas backdrop for me to connect with past, present, and future clientele.”

Over the years, Howell has fostered 62,379 hours of volunteer support, cultivating vital programs like Block Captains, Small Business Saturday promotion efforts, and annual community events like Art in the Garden and Rocktoberfest. Those efforts have paid off in big ways, like being named the Best Main Street from USA Today in 2024 as a testament to their walkable shops, restaurants, and historic charm. 

 In May 2023, Howell was among eight MMS communities to receive a Main Street Vibrancy grant to support wayfinding sign replacement project including sign design, fabrication, installation and maintenance.

"Reaching this milestone as a Michigan Main Street community is really special for Howell,” said Downtown Development Authority Director and Howell Main Street COO Lexie Wilcox. “The program has helped us highlight our beautiful historic downtown, support our small businesses, and create a downtown that welcomes everyone. None of this would be possible without the energy of our volunteers, businesses, and neighbors, and we’re excited to see Howell’s downtown continue to grow and thrive."

15 Year Main Street Anniversaries

Celebrating 15 years as an MMS community, Wayland is a vibrant community in Allegan County that boasts charming storefronts with historically restored façades, gathering spaces and plenty of food, services and retail options for residents and visitors alike. Downtown Wayland Main Street’s goal is to become a destination itself, using its location between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

Wayland Main Street consistently creates opportunities for locals and visitors to pause and enjoy their vibrant downtown. From Summerfest to block parties, line dancing events, and bike nights, these initiatives have helped foster community engagement while supporting $1.957 million in private investment since 2010. During that time, the district has seen 45 façade and building improvement projects completed and welcomed 45 new businesses. Wayland Main Street’s growth has also led to the creation of a Junior DDA program, which recently brought a downtown “Art Alley” to life. This creative space showcases student artwork and offers rentable space for local artists to display their work, adding another layer of vibrancy to the heart of downtown.

In February 2024, Wayland was among nine Michigan Main Street communities to receive a Main Street Vibrancy grant, which included funding for a new Welcome to Downtown Wayland sign, a wireless speaker system and a hype program to promote local businesses within their downtown.

Baugh Shoe Repair is an institution among Wayland’s small businesses, serving the community for over 100 years. Through its support of local signage rehabilitation and marketing programs, workshops and a calendar of special events, the Main Street program is helping Wayland businesses thrive.

"Downtown Wayland has been a part of the Michigan Main Street program for 15 years now,” said Director Holli McPherson. “The Main Street program is the main reason our downtown went from a passing through part of town to a destination not only to local residents but visitors. This program is also a large networking and teaching tool. They educate directors, board members, and volunteers on the four main points of a downtown which are the design/historic preservation, events, economic volatility, and maintain a strong organization."

Also celebrating 15 years as an MMS community, Downtown Lansing is continuing its work to create a thriving and inclusive district. Downtown Lansing, Inc. works to help businesses succeed through offerings like the Downtown Business Huddle, sign grant program, business trainings and resources available through MMS.

Most recently, Downtown Lansing received Main Street Vibrancy grants in February 2024 and May 2023, supporting small business mini-makeovers for downtown businesses and lighting for Artery Alley – part of a larger project to transform the alley space.

“Downtown Lansing Inc. is proud to celebrate 15 years as a Master Level Main Street community,” said Downtown Lansing Inc. Director Cathleen Edgerly. “Over the past decade and a half, our work with Michigan Main Street has helped us welcome 116 new businesses, celebrate volunteers, support more than 190 entrepreneurs, and see over $123 million in private investment in Michigan’s Downtown. This milestone isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people. It’s about cultivating a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable downtown that reflects the heart of our Capital City and Michigan. We’re honored to be part of a statewide network that champions thriving communities, and we look forward to building on this momentum together in the years to come.”

20 Year Main Street Anniversary

As an MMS community for the last two decades, Grand Haven has worked to promote the Lake Michigan community as a year-round destination for living, working, shopping and playing. Through its MMS resources and programming, Grand Haven businesses receive support through a yearly banner program, beautification efforts downtown, annual events and a business resource guide to help them thrive.

With nearly $30 million in private investment into the district, Grand Haven Main Street has witnessed 110 new businesses open their doors and supported 91 facade and business improvement projects since 2005. Volunteers have dedicated an impressive 71,412 hours to keeping downtown lively year-round, supporting events from Bones About Town and the Fall Festival to regular First Block events and even Wine About Winter, ensuring the streets remain welcoming in every season. To further promote Grand Haven as a destination for both residents and visitors, GHMS has introduced a refreshed brand identity and launched a redesigned website, enhancing the downtown’s visibility and showcasing everything it has to offer.

In June 2025, Grand Haven received a Michigan Main Street Vibrancy grant to support the installation of backless benches, banners and wayfinding signage as a catalyst for continued implementation of the community's Vibrant Spaces Initiative, creating inclusive, attractive and functional public spaces with accessible seating, tables with chess boards, bike racks and repair stations. Grand Haven also received a $25,000 Match on Main grant on behalf of seafood restaurant The Lucky Bucket, supporting the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new restaurant.

“After my first year in this position, I have seen firsthand how Grand Haven Main Street drives local business growth, builds community partnerships, and preserves our historic downtown, proving to be an asset in enriching our community,” said Grand Haven Main Street Executive Director Chandi Pape. “I am honored and excited as I continue to learn and grow in this position and what this next year has to offer for our community.”

Learn more about the impact of the Michigan Main Street program: