Oklahoma Main Street

About Oklahoma Main Street

Since 1986, Oklahoma Main Street programs have generated more than $2.2 billion in total public and private reinvestment, created 21,600 new jobs and helped in the development of nearly 9,000 new or expanded small businesses.

Statewide Reach

The Main Street program encourages economic development in Oklahoma communities and neighborhood districts statewide. By refocusing efforts to bring vibrancy back to a commercial district, your local program can find the self-reliance and empowerment it needs to rebuild a commercial district and increase the quality of life for residents.

Why Main Street Matters

Main Street directors from across the state share how the program has positively impacted their communities.

Resources for Communities

Oklahoma Main Street provides training, resources and technical assistance for preservation-based historic commercial district revitalization.

Main Street Incentive Program

The Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program encourages investment, construction and development of Main Streets in Oklahoma, focusing on efforts to sustain or restore vibrancy in commercial districts. These developments will enhance the cultural, recreational, scenic and/or quality of life in participating Main Street communities, attracting more visitors and generating additional sales taxes for the state and local communities.

Applications open September 1, 2026 and close September 30, 2026

Main Street National Conference

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 13 – 15! Join peers from across the Main Street network and experts in commercial district stewardship for insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops and incredible experiences in Tulsa.

Four-point Approach

The Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is tailored to meet the needs and opportunities of each local program. It encompasses work in four distinct areas – Design, Economic Vitality, Promotion, and Organization – that are combined to address all of the commercial district’s needs.

Design

Every Main Street wants to make a good first impression. By capitalizing on your best assets and creating an inviting atmosphere through window displays, building improvements, signs, landscaping and more, you’ll showcase what your district has to offer.

Promotion

Marketing is a vital component of a successful commercial district. Advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns can improve consumer and investor confidence and encourage commercial activity and investment in the district.

Economic Vitality

By diversifying your district’s economic base and converting unused or underused commercial space into productive space, your historic core can strengthen its assets and boost the profitability of the district.

Organization

The right organizational structure is critical to creating a vibrant Main Street program. By bringing together human and financial resources, your program set itself up for success.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Main Street Center and how following the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ can bring change and growth to your community.

Application

Interested in becoming a Main Street program?

Annual Main Street Awards

Recognizing Community Achievement

Each year we host an awards banquet to acknowledge the accomplishments of local Main Street programs. Through 25 categories, we recognize outstanding volunteers, businesses and improvements in local historic commercial districts throughout Oklahoma.

Buffy Hughes, Oklahoma Main Street Center Director, hosted Oklahoma Department of Commerce Leadership, Heather Turner (standing) and John Budd (second from right) for the evening.

Maci Graves of Ponca City Main Street accepting the 2025 Watonga Bob Shoemaker Award — Maci Graves, Ponca City, was presented with the 2025 Watonga Bob Shoemaker award for Main Street Program Director of the Year.

Main Street of Perry representatives accepting the 2025 Main Street Program of the Year Award — Main Street of Perry won top honors as the 2025 Main Street Program of the Year.

Randy McFarlin Legacy Main Street Award 2025 — Randy McFarlin of Ada received the 2025 Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award for his efforts spent working to revitalize Oklahoma.

Main Street programs from across the state enjoying the 35th Annual Banquet in OKC.

Heather Turner, Oklahoma Department of Commerce Deputy CEO and Executive Director of CORE, delivered an update on the statewide Main Street Incentive Program.

John Budd, Oklahoma Department of Commerce CEO delivered the evening’s keynote address.

Community Impact

Calendar Year 2024

2024 Private & Public

$268.5 Million

Program Total

$2.48 Billion

47.4 Million

In private dollars invested

221 Million

In public dollars invested

1.7 Billion

In private dollars invested

702.9 Million

In public dollars invested

239

Building Rehabilitations
(2024)

15,867

Building Rehabilitations
Program Total

151

Business Openings, Relocations & Expansions
(2024)

9,115

Business Openings, Relocations & Expansions
Program Total

661

Jobs
(2024)

22,401

Jobs
Program Total

54,257

Volunteer Hours
(2024)

1,789,029

Volunteer Hours
Program Total
(Since 2002)

Your Main Street Team

Let us know how we can help.

As Director of the Oklahoma Main Street Program, Buffy leads the team responsible for revitalizing and supporting Oklahoma’s Main Street communities. Alongside her team, she brings resources, strategic planning and more to some of our state’s most historic districts.

Buffy Skee

State Main Street Director

Tamara promotes economic development in Oklahoma’s Main Street communities. In her role, she builds relationships by working with community and business leaders to discover untapped assets, grow partnerships and plan and execute events that promote the best our Main Streets have to offer.

Tamara Nelson

Economic Vitality Specialist

Anna promotes economic development as the key driver of technology, tourism and efficiency. Anna keeps abreast of all things that help to simplify processes, keep projects in motion and communication lines open between communities, partnerships and visitors.

Anna Schilling

Program Coordinator

As Program Coordinator, Kelli supports Oklahoma Main Street communities through strategic marketing and planning, public relations and social media, event planning and more. She works with the communities to identify best practices and promotes the sharing of information between communities.

Kelli Yadon