The National Main Street Center is evaluating eight communities who are semifinalists for the Great American Main Street Award, and Jefferson is on that short list. The award recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. Patrice Frye, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center, says the semifinalists have all demonstrated impressive economic and community growth. These, she adds, are the models for what Main Street programs across the country are working to achieve. “This recognition is the result of the progressive thinking of our community’s leadership and volunteers to take the steps needed for Jefferson to move forward,” says Executive Director of Jefferson Matters: Main Street, Peg Raney. In addition to their Main Street President, Jamie Daubendiek and the current and past board members, the five teams have been highly successful with creative projects in Jefferson’s beautiful downtown district that have inspired many other rural communities. In total, the eight nominees in the running for this award have brought in more than $1 billion in public investment and a half billion in private investments, generated 9,498 jobs, opened 459 new businesses, rehabbed 734 buildings and logged more than 192,000 volunteer hours. The award winners will be announced May 18 at the National Main Street Center’s Main Street Now Conference in Dallas Texas.
