Mary Helmer Wirth, President & State Coordinator
(205) 910-8819
mary@mainstreetalabama.org
MAIN STREET ALABAMA ANNOUNCES 2026 NEW CITY APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
Birmingham, Ala. (Dec. 19, 2025) — Main Street Alabama has announced the dates for its 2026 New City Application Workshops, which will be held in Birmingham, Enterprise and Athens in January of next year.
Main Street Alabama’s Designated Programs are downtown and neighborhood commercial districts known for being equipped with the resources and tools needed for revitalization. New City Application Workshops guide communities through the process of becoming a Designated Main Street Program by outlining the criteria and process for application. These sessions also explain how the organization offers guidance for revitalization, particularly by utilizing the nationally recognized Main Street Four-Point Approach. This approach includes Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality and serves as the foundation for local organizations and municipalities to revitalize their districts by leveraging their authentic assets, from architectural to cultural heritage to small business sustainability and pride of place.
Main Street Alabama’s selection process is rigorous and becoming a Designated Program is a significant stage of development for communities aiming to revitalize their core districts. Participating in the New City Application Workshop helps attendees understand how to best access expert guidance and the bevy of resources afforded through Designation.
The Birmingham session is scheduled for January 13. The Enterprise workshop will take place on January 20, and the third session will be held in Athens on January 27. All sessions are expected to last from 1 to 4 p.m.
Applications will only be available to those communities represented at a workshop. While there is no fee to attend, registration is required and can be found on the Main Street Alabama website at mainstreetalabama.org.
Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization which stresses public-private partnerships, broad community engagement, and strategies that create jobs, spark new investment, attract visitors, and spur growth in core commercial districts. Main Street builds on the authentic history, culture, and attributes of specific places, to bring sustainable change.
