Downtown Salisbury vying for $25K Cash Prize in national contest recognizing America’s Main Streets and their “Road to Recovery”

Salisbury residents encouraged to vote now to advance Downtown Salisbury

  In September, Independent We Stand, a national small business movement, kicked-off its sixth annual America’s Main Streets contest titled this year, “Road to Recovery,” a three-month-long, web-driven contest to help consumers, small business owners and Main Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes. Whether the local Main Street is making a comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic or never lost its staying power, Independent We Stand invited the public to help draw attention to the vital role America’s Main Streets play in the long-term success of communities by nominating and voting for their favorite Main Street.

“It has been a very challenging time for our small businesses over the last 18 months,” said Interim Downtown Development Director Latoya Price. “Winning America’s Main Streets contest would allow us to help our downtown and local businesses along their journey down the road to recovery. We anticipate that the funds would allow our Downtown Salisbury merchants to make physical enhancements, purchase equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines and other important improvements to draw shoppers and visitors to our downtown.”

 “Independent We Stand wants to help locally owned businesses not just survive the pandemic, but thrive in their communities,” says Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “After the massive nationwide shutdowns due to COVID, we recognize the pride business owners take in their Main Streets, and we want to help share those stories through our contest. It’s more important now than ever, to get behind these businesses with our support.”

Important dates:

·        Sept. 13 to Nov. 7: Nominations and quarterfinalist voting

·        Nov. 15 to Dec. 12: Semifinalist voting

·        Dec. 20: America’s Main Streets “Road to Recovery” winner announced

·        Feb. 14: “Show Your Main Streets Some Love” event; America’s Main Streets “Road to Recovery” winner announces plans for $25,000 grand prize

As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, Downtown Salisbury is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America. Please visit us on the web at www.downtownsalisburync.com.  

About Independent We Stand

Independent We Stand is a nationwide movement of independent small business owners whose mission is to inspire other small business owners to better understand and celebrate their locally owned status while educating consumers about the importance and strong economic benefits of supporting them. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored by STIHL Inc. STIHL products are sold through more than 10,000 authorized local STIHL Dealers from coast to coast – not big box stores. Associate sponsors include North American Hardware and Paint Association, Nationwide Marketing Group, Do it Best Corp. and Tmbr Flooring.