The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area (MHNHA) have partnered to implement the Roadmaps to Revitalization initiative in four designated Main Street communities within the Hills region this year.
Downtown Roadmaps, detailed downtown revitalization strategies developed when communities join MMSA, have had a significant impact on individual communities and the entire state throughout MMSA’s 40-year history. Recognizing that many of these roadmaps are now 15, 20, or even 30 years old in some instances, MMSA is actively working to update these plans for the communities.
Through the Roadmaps to Revitalization initiative, MMSA will deliver “Roadmap Refreshes” to all 48 designated communities over a five-year period. However, with costs estimated at up to $25,000 per community, this initiative presents financial challenges for both MMSA and the communities involved.
In 2026, MHNHA is helping fund Roadmap Refreshes in Booneville, New Albany, Ripley and Tupelo, each of which is a member of the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance, the local coordinating entity for the heritage area.
In partnership with Mississippi Main Street, MHNHA has previously provided funding for strategic and impactful projects for MMSA communities, including marketing videos, branding systems, and economic impact pieces for designated Main Street programs within the heritage area.
“The Roadmaps to Revitalization initiative will engage each of the four designated communities in the Hills utilizing a time-tested methodology that has consistently delivered results for Main Street communities across Mississippi,” said Mary Cates Williams, MHNHA Executive Director. “The process will yield updated downtown revitalization strategies carefully adapted to meet current challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities.”
MMSA will engage nationally recognized architect Randy Wilson of Community Design Solutions and urban planner Andy Kalback of Kalback Designs to lead the Roadmap Refreshes. Wilson has been involved in downtown revitalization utilizing the Main Street model for over 20 years, and Kalback has over 30 years of experience in urban planning and landscape architecture.
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.
MMSA will facilitate three virtual planning sessions with local Main Street directors and their board members to establish project goals, identify key stakeholders, and define priorities. A pre-assessment survey will be conducted to gather baseline data on community needs, challenges, and assets ahead of site visits.
The consultants will lead 2-day, on-site community engagement workshops to tour the community, receive local input, and refine project priorities. Community stakeholders and residents will participate in a town hall visioning session to ensure alignment between local needs and proposed revitalization strategies.
A comprehensive Roadmap Report will be developed for each community, outlining key recommendations, priority projects, and implementation strategies. MMSA staff and consultants will provide guidance on zoning updates, façade improvements, streetscape enhancements, and economic development incentives.
At the end of the process, a virtual Implementation Workshop will be conducted to help the Main Street programs and local leaders translate recommendations into actionable projects. Training will include grant writing assistance, project phasing strategies, public-private partnership development, and stakeholder engagement techniques to build local capacity for implementation. MMSA will provide ongoing technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities, allowing communities to share insights and lessons learned throughout the implementation process.
“We are grateful for the partnership with MHNHA so that we can bring Downtown Roadmap Refreshes to Main Street communities in the Hills region,” said Jeannie Waller Zieren, MMSA Executive Director. “These roadmaps will equip the local Main Street programs and serve as a guidebook for their revitalization efforts that connects all partners and planning efforts together, leading to an increase in quality of life that benefits the entire community and region.”