The Wisconsin Main Street Alliance (WMSA) was formed during 2005 in an effort to maintain and enhance the WI Main Street Program (WMSP) and Wisconsin Main Street Communities (WMSC). Funding and staffing cuts that have had a negative impact on the program brought this about. Since its creation the WMSA volunteer board has undertaken several projects including:

1. Sought assistance from and met for four days with the National Main Street Center (NMSC) staff to form a statewide group sustaining WMSP and WMSC.
2. Studied the successes of several similar programs in other states
3. Created annual work plans to establish and accomplish goals annually 2005-2009
4. Created by-laws in 2005, Articles of incorporation filed in 2006
5. Met with the WI Dept. of Commerce Secretary in 2005 to encourage support for WMSP
6. Created a brochure in 2006 to state the purpose of the WMSA and seek members
7. Coordinated legislative visits at the state capital in 2006 to educate them about WIMS and encourage support for WMSP
8. Created a basic website in 2007 which is registered with the NMSC
9. Applied for a 2008 $2 million federal appropriations grant for use by WMSA
10. Attained 501 (c)(3) non profit status with the IRS in 2007
11. Assisted in coordinating the WMSP 20^th Annual Gala in 2008
12. Participated in the 2008 WDAC Strategic Partners Summit
    
13. Hired a Director to focus on the goals of the organization in 2009
14. Distributed a statewide news release to WI legislators and 330 WI media outlets
15. Wrote and submitted a letter of support for a WMSP 2010 $1 million federal grant
16. Requested a meeting with the WI Dept. of Commerce Secretary to encourage support for WMSP
17. Worked on increasing awareness of the importance of the WMSA and increased membership.
18. Created WMSA Website
19. Created New Logo
20. Participated in the 2009 WDAC Strategic Partners Summit
21. Met with the WI Dept. of Commerce Secretary in 2009 to encourage support for WMSP
22. Letter sent to Wisconsin legislators about 2008-2009 WI Main Street Annual Report
23. Early December statewide news release promoted Shop Main Street video and member business directories on our website. WI Public Radio and Capital Times newspaper and several other media covered this.
24. Federal FY2011 Appropriations Request was submitted March 1 to Senator Herb Kohl and all WI US Legislators contacted requesting support.