By the late 1970's, community after community began to realize that modernization and progress had left them with an empty space that downtown used to fill. Main Street as they knew it was gone and so was their sense of community. The desire to rekindle the lost community spirit was echoed across the country.

Nationwide, efforts to take back main Street were put in motion, but there was a desperate need for expertise and support. The need was soon filled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP). In 1980, after three years of pilot studies, the NTHP established the National Main Street Center to provide support and encourage the revitalization of Main Street based on historic preservation and sound business practices. To date, 43 states and over 1,800 communities participate in the Main Street Program nationwide.

The Mississippi Main Street Association, a private, non-profit organization, contracted with the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development in 1989 to administer the Main Street Program, and direct the revitalization efforts of downtowns throughout Mississippi's cities and towns. Prior to this, the Association was valiantly led by a core of volunteers.

MMSA also provides technical assistance to member-towns of the Association. Member-towns focus on issues embraced by the 4-Point Approach of Main Street that are designed to match resources available in their communities.

Because of strong partnership efforts, MMSA has been successful in assisting with the creation of over a thousand new businesses and thousands of new jobs in the central business districts of numerous communities across the state. By utilizing the Association's expertise, resources and technical assistance, once badly deteriorating downtowns are becoming vibrant and viable, and are taking their rightful place as the heart, center and core of their communities.

The Main Street Programs go way beyond the often mistaken "paint-up-fix-up" concept. Main Street is a comprehensive, long-term process based on the National main Street Center's Four Point Approach of Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring. Communities participating in Main Street commit to a long-term, on-going, revitalization effort, understanding that the self-help principle is an integral part of the process. They also realize that a commitment of funding for the management element must be in place to ensure success.