The big day came on Monday for one local non-profit organization in Jefferson that scored the highest honor they possibly can.

Jefferson Matters was announced as one of the winners of the Great American Main Street Award, joining the other finalists that included Denison, Texas and Raton, New Mexico. The announcement took place at the Main Street America Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich says being a GAMSA winner means a huge validation from Main Street America that what they have been doing is exactly what it means to be a Main Street community and to keep that momentum going. 

Wetrich notes that while there is technically no money with the designation, they can use the GAMSA on a national scale to attract even more tourists and people to work, live and raise a family in Jefferson and Greene County, along with another critical area of interest.

“We also think this is one of those things that when you’re applying for grants and stuff like that. This (the GAMSA) is a crown jewel for us and shows that we use resources really well. And grant scorers really appreciate knowing that, like if their monies are going  to go to a community they want to see how it’s going to be used and used well. And we continue to prove that we take those resources and leverage those into other private contributions and make big things happen.”       

Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson also made the trip to Philadelphia to be part of the announcement and tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the city has been a great partner with historic preservation efforts of the downtown district.

“Partnerships in anything that is successful I think you look at that and you’ll always, oftentimes find that it’s driven by a lot more than one entity, and the city is happy to be a partner in this. Even if it’s just being a good cheerleader along the way, I think those things are needed. Positivity in the community is needed and it builds upon itself and it’s just absolutely wonderful to see.”    

Wetrich points out that since becoming a Main Street community in 2012, Jefferson Matters has helped take $6 million of public investment and turned that into $18 million of private investment, including opening 45 new businesses, facilitated creating a net of 101 new jobs, assisted in rehabilitating 115 buildings, and leveraged more than 57,000 volunteer hours. A celebratory event is planned for 10am on Monday, April 14th on the southside of the downtown square.