Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Texas Main Street Center?
The Texas Main Street Center is the state-level clearinghouse for the training, information, and technical assistance that is provided to Main Street Cities. The Center is administered by the Texas Historical Commission. Debra Farst is currently the Texas Main Street Project Director who coordinates the Center's activities. These activities involve a wide variety of technical assistance to participant communities, which ranges from providing consultants to giving design advice.

Why is Main Street Important?
Main Street is a symbol of community economic health, local quality of life, pride, and preserves community history, (factors in industrial, commercial, and professional recruitment).

A vital Main Street retains and creates jobs which also means a stronger tax base.

Main Street is also a good incubator for new small businesses.

A healthy Main Street core protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

The traditional commercial district is an ideal location for independent businesses by:

• Keeping profits in town.
• Supporting local families with family-owned business
• Supporting local community projects
• Providing an extremely stable economic foundation as opposed to a few    large businesses with no ties to stay in the community

Revitalized Main Street increases the communities' options for goods and services.

Main Street provides an important civic forum where members of the community can congregate - parades, special events, and celebrations - reinforcing a sense of community.

Many Main Street Districts become tourist attractions, by virtue of the character of buildings, location, selection of unique businesses, and events held there.