main-street-america

Image courtesy of Main Street America

One Main Street Iowa program has been selected as one of the top eight communities that are in the running for a prestigious honor.

According to Main Street America, Jefferson Matters is a semi-finalist for the 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). Main Street America says a group of industry professionals and local leaders served as a national jury as they evaluated applications from several Main Street programs across the country. They go on to say that the eight semi-finalists were named for their “excellence in fostering preservation-based revitalization efforts in their historic downtowns and commercial corridor districts through the Main Street America approach.”

Some of the criteria used in the decision-making process includes inclusive and collaborative organizations, along with innovative economic development strategies, arts and culture, and historic preservation methods. 

The other semi-finalists are listed below, with Jefferson Matters being the only Main Street Iowa representative. The award ceremony for the 2025 (GAMSA) will take place on April 7th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2025 GAMSA announcement

 

2025 Semi-Finalists

Berlin Main Street – Berlin, Maryland

Denison Main Street – Denison, Texas

Easton Main Street Initiative – Easton, Pennsylvania

Main Street Farmington – Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan

Jefferson Matters – Jefferson, Iowa

Raton MainStreet/​Arts & Culture District – Raton, New Mexico

Vicksburg Main Street Program – Vicksburg, Mississippi

Downtown Wytheville Inc. – Wytheville, Virginia