About Us:

The Emmaus Main Street Program was officially incorporated in 1995 as a non-profit program to support and revitalize the Emmaus' historic downtown. Funding was provided by the state Department of Community and economic Development with initial matching funds provided by Borough of Emmaus.
Founded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in early 1980's. Main Street Programs incorporate historic preservation, community consensus building, and volunteer effort to attain community and economic development.

The basic premise of Main Street Program is that traditional downtowns are the "heart" of a community that from malls, superstores, and strip malls, traditionally downtown retail centers began to decline in the 1970's and 1980's. Typically, as blighted downtown storefronts began to empty, crime, vandalism rose and property values declined not only in the downtown district, but in the surrounding residential neighborhoods as well.

Efforts to found the Emmaus Main Street Program began as early as 1990 with a group of concerned business owners, professionals, and citizens who recognized that Emmaus' downtown in the entire Lehigh Valley that still enjoys a healthy downtown district.

The Emmaus Main Street Program employs one employee, an executive director, or Main Street Manager. The management of the organization is overseen by a volunteer board of directors who meet monthly. Much of the work of the organization is carried out by dedicated volunteer committees comprised of business people and residents who care about preserving the quality of life in their community.