Oklahoma Main Street Center

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

Interested in learning more about the Main Street program? Come see us at our sessions at the OML Conference on September 17th!

It's Speaker Track Thursday!

We are excited to welcome Buffy Skee, Main Street Director Anna Schilling, Program Coordinator Tamara Nelson, Economic Development Specialist, Kelli Yadon, Program Coordinator and Karla Jackson, Program and MSIP Coordinator to conference!

Registration is still available at www.omlconference.org.

09/04/2026

**Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight**

Recipient: Main Street Altus, fully designated Main Street program since 1992.

This incentive project added 30 new light poles with security cameras and a downtown music system to their historic commercial district. It also enabled the façade rehabilitation of the historic Opera House in downtown Altus.

Projects like this show how infrastructure upgrades can make a big difference in how a downtown feels and functions.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to be able to offer the Certified Main Street Incentive to eligible programs in our network.

09/02/2026

Welcome to the Oklahoma Main Street family, Kasey!

Big news, Kendall Whittier! We've got a new leader in the house – and she's ready to support our amazing small businesses!

Please give a warm welcome to Kasey Rhone, our brand-new Executive Director!

Kasey officially joined us on August 3rd, and she's already out and about meeting our incredible local business owners. She comes to us with a background in nonprofits, project management, and education, most recently as Education Director at the Museum of Tulsa History. She knows how to bring people together and tell the stories that make a community special.

And let's be real, our businesses ARE the heart of Kendall Whittier. From our beloved local shops and restaurants to the entrepreneurs making their dreams come true right here in the district, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Kasey is excited to work alongside all of you as we gear up for some huge things – think revamped infrastructure, new public art, wayfinding signs, and even more reasons to shop local.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Kasey, we can't wait to see you out and about supporting our local businesses!

¡Grandes noticias, Kendall Whittier! Tenemos una nueva líder en el equipo, ¡y está lista para apoyar a nuestros increíbles pequeños negocios!

¡Demos una cálida bienvenida a Kasey Rhone, nuestra nueva Directora Ejecutiva!

Kasey se incorporó oficialmente el 3 de agosto y ya está recorriendo la zona para conocer a nuestros increíbles propietarios de negocios locales. Cuenta con experiencia en organizaciones sin fines de lucro, gestión de proyectos y educación; recientemente se desempeñó como Directora de Educación en el Museo de Historia de Tulsa (Museum of Tulsa History). Sabe cómo unir a las personas y contar las historias que hacen que una comunidad sea especial.

Y seamos sinceros: nuestros negocios SON el corazón de Kendall Whittier. Desde nuestras queridas tiendas y restaurantes locales hasta los emprendedores que hacen realidad sus sueños aquí mismo en el distrito, estamos para apoyarlos en cada paso del camino.

Kasey está entusiasmada por trabajar junto a todos ustedes mientras nos preparamos para grandes proyectos: infraestructura renovada, nuevo arte público, señalización y aún más razones para comprar localmente.

Bienvenida al vecindario, Kasey; ¡estamos ansiosos por verte apoyando a nuestros negocios locales!

09/02/2026

** COOL JOB ALERT **

📢 NOW HIRING: Executive Director
Cherokee Main Street | Cherokee, Oklahoma
Do you have a passion for community development, historic preservation, and creating a thriving downtown? Cherokee Main Street is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and visionary leader to serve as our next Executive Director.
Primary Responsibilities
• Lead the implementation of the Main Street America Four-Point Approach®
• Execute Board-approved strategic plans and annual work plans
• Coordinate committees, volunteers, and community stakeholders
• Manage budgets, financial reporting, grant compliance, and organizational records
• Develop sponsorships, memberships, grants, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives
• Serve as liaison with the City of Cherokee, businesses, property owners, community organizations, and state partners
• Plan and execute downtown events, promotions, and marketing campaigns
• Support historic preservation, beautification, business recruitment, and economic vitality initiatives
• Maintain Main Street accreditation requirements and reporting
• Track economic impact, business development, reinvestment, volunteer hours, and program outcomes
• Supervise contractors, interns, and volunteers
• Coordinate daily office operations, including phone calls, email correspondence, and providing exceptional customer service
Minimum Qualifications
• Experience in nonprofit management, business, public administration, community development, or a related field
• Excellent communication, organizational, fundraising, and leadership skills
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Ability to maintain a visible and active presence in Downtown Cherokee.
Position Details
• Part-time
• Minimum 20-hour work week
• In-person attendance required
📧 To Apply: Complete the application below and attach a current resume.
For further questions contact us via email at: [email protected]
🗓️ Application Deadline: Tuesday, Sept 15th, 2026
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on Historic Downtown Cherokee and help shape the future of our community, we’d love to hear from you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZ6IDsEpPGg14KG6WjfFnNHC90nd-N26UwzmruvInXHUzTmw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

09/01/2026

We’re kicking off a new Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight Series! Over the coming weeks, we’ll highlight the communities receiving incentive funding and showcase the projects, partnerships and ideas helping strengthen their downtowns.

From building improvements to community enhancements, these investments demonstrate what happens when local vision meets strategic support.

Here is out latest video featuring one of our network level programs and how the city of Guthrie leveraged the Certified Main Street Incentive to enhance their district.

08/31/2026

Deadline for applying to present at the Main Street Now Conference is fast approaching!

🚨 If you've been meaning to apply to lead a session at Main Street Now 2027 in Detroit, right now is the time to act. Why? The application closes in 2 weeks (or sooner), and more than 50% of the submission slots have already been claimed!

The application will automatically close on Friday, September 4, or when all slots have been claimed. Don't wait to pitch your session! 👉 mainstreet.org/now2027cfp

08/26/2026

2027 funding for our Certified Main Street Incentive Program was approved this morning by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority!

We are so looking forward to see what projects our communities apply for this coming year!

Applications open September 1 and close September 30. For more information, see link in comments!

08/26/2026

Had a great day of training at the Main Street Board Member Boot Camp!

The Canadian Valley Technology Center facility served as a great backdrop for the day of learning and networking!

Special thanks to guest speaker, Scott Sewell, for leading fundraising and working board topics!

And Marla Grant, Tahlequah Board President-elect, presented how she and her board show up for and support their director, Jamie Hale. Thank you, Marla.

08/21/2026

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