20th Anniversary: Impact That Talks – Norma Ramirez de Miess
Logan Breer | April 30, 2026
Norma, as someone who has been in Main Street for almost two decades, what makes for a good coordinating Main Street program?
Having a leader that talks from the heart, conveys their vision, and connects with others. That is exactly what Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) has with Gayla. She is hard-working, genuine, and collaborative. She also has this knack for being able to talk to anybody.
It doesn’t just end there. Gayla sets people as a priority for MMSC because through people we strengthen organizations and accomplish the work. The people Gayla connects with join the movement, whether locally as a Main Street community or at the state level on MMSC’s board or committees. MMSC’s board and committee share her commitment and sense of vision in helping communities progress and build up the nonprofit. Since I began working with Missouri in 2008, it was obvious that Main Street wasn’t just a job for them. They wanted to help Missouri communities and knew that the training and services MMSC would provide were important for Missouri.
This commitment has helped to grow this movement in Missouri and made me want to be a part of it. It’s another reason why I promote MMSC as an example for other coordinating Main Streets to follow.
How have you been able to participate in the Main Street movement in Missouri?
I have been able to work in so many communities across Missouri in partnership with Missouri Main Street Connection through my previous role with Main Street America. This included helping communities get started as a Main Street program, assisting them through their journey, conducting accreditation visits to push them to the next level of success, and driving around with MMSC’s team.
Those drives are some of my favorite memories because they made me realize I was becoming part of the Main Street movement here in Missouri as Gayla shared about the things she was doing with me. Many times, I flew into Kansas City, got picked up by Gayla, drove from community to community, then departed from St. Louis, all the while brainstorming in the car ride between communities—I often joke that Gayla knew how to get every penny out of the service I provided.
“I think that’s the beauty and value of the support that MMSC has provided to the communities: assuring communities that there’s an organization that has their back, looks for resources, strives to bring technical assistance, and be there for/with them.”
Now that I am on my own it is no different. I am still being asked to come to Missouri, which is something that I am truly grateful for. Having my own consulting business provides me with the opportunity to engage directly with communities, dive deep into the challenges communities are facing, and be there for them. My consulting work now focuses on building a legacy of leadership that can carry this work forward.
What growth have you seen in Missouri Main Street Connection?
From the conversations in the car with Gayla, I saw—and helped with input—the St. Louis Main Street pilot program form to address the need that was forming at the local level in St. Louis, Missouri. At Main Street America we were also piloting our own program to design a pathway for urban areas to utilize and implement the Main Street Approach™ at the scale they needed. Missouri Main Street Connection used this as a base and customized their services and pathway to suite the needs of Missouri’s urban districts, specifically St. Louis. I’m proud that those brainstorming conversations helped shape a wonderful program here in Missouri that went above and beyond the
national programming with more time in each district, direct and ongoing support, and a level of investment and commitment that only Missouri could pull off.
“Missouri Main Street Connection is the best at learning with their communities and asking, ‘what do you need?’ and grows to provide the solution to that need.”
This growth was strategic, grounded, and humble. I remember hearing from Gayla about their approach to working in the urban environment beginning with understanding the district’s needs. As a result, the St. Louis Main Streets program has elevated Delmar and Dutchtown to be the best urban districts that they can be.
Any final comments?
Missouri Main Street Connection is truly an exemplary, grassroots effort, and it’s inspiring. It’s amazing to see the level of energy and engagement that the board and the staff have—it’s like they don’t get tired. I believe that because of how people come together to make things happen, that collective effort that is modeled at the state level inspires local programs to do the same leading to growth one year to the next.
I would encourage anyone in Missouri to connect with Missouri Main Street Connection. I think it was easy for me to connect with Missouri Main Street Connection and Gayla because we are driven by similar things: a mission and vision to support communities grow and thrive. I believe that you will experience something like what I did as well because they are good at drawing people in, making them feel welcome, and working alongside you to grow your community.
Stay tuned for more 20th anniversary stories where you get to know the people behind the Main Street movement in Missouri in a new way. We look forward to you reading and hope that these stories intrigue you to pick up our 20th anniversary book releasing in July at the 2026 Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference.
1 thought on “20th Anniversary: Impact That Talks – Norma Ramirez de Miess”
Thank you, Norma!