Support Downtown Smithfield by Voting Today
The national small business movement, Independent We Stand, announces the quarterfinalists, including Downtown Smithfield, in the 2018 “America’s Main Streets” contest. As the lifeblood of our cities and towns, Main Streets play an important role in the long-term success of communities and help build a sense of place. Independent We Stand invites the public to vote for their favorite quarterfinalist and move a deserving Main Street one step closer to the grand prize of $25,000.
On the banks of the Neuse River, Downtown Smithfield is full of charm and thriving, independently owned small businesses. Since its 1986 designation as a North Carolina Main Street community, Smithfield’s citizens have come together to breathe new life into the historic downtown. The work continues to pay off, as Downtown Smithfield now boasts a great selection of restaurants, a variety of destination retailers, and several attractions enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
“We are so grateful for the support of our community to get us into the quarterfinals! Downtown Smithfield’s future is incredibly bright, and we appreciate everyone’s support, whether it’s voting for us in the contest, choosing to spend money locally throughout the year, or attending our events,” states Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Executive Director Sarah Edwards. “As Smithfield continues to grow and evolve, there is still work to be done, and winning Independent We Stand’s America’s Main Streets contest would accelerate the DSDC’s work.”
“We are in our third year of the contest and are so happy to see the passion and pride these nominees have for their Main Streets and the local businesses that keep them alive. Now it’s time for consumers to show their support and vote again to move their favorites into the semifinals,” explains Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “Our theme this year is ‘Local Memories. Lasting Impact.’ and this group is a terrific example of the unique experiences and economic benefits shopping local can have on a community.”
More than 117,000 total votes were cast for 303 entrants during the nominations phase. The 2018 quarterfinalists in alphabetical order are:
- Belleville Main Street, Belleville, Ill.
- Benicia Main Street, Benicia, Calif.
- Bridge Street Ashtabula, Ashtabula, Ohio
- Cedar Lee, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
- Clarence Main Street, Clarence, Iowa
- Collierville, TN, Collierville, Tenn.
- Congress Street, York, S.C.
- Downtown Great Falls, Great Falls, Mont.
- Downtown Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Ill.
- Downtown Jeffersonville, Jeffersonville, Ind.
- Downtown Rochester, Rochester, Mich.
- Downtown Smithfield, Smithfield, N.C.
- Downtown Statesville, Statesville, N.C.
- Downtown Tupelo Main Street, Tupelo, Miss.
- East Troy, WI, East Troy, Wis.
- Edenton, North Carolina, Edenton, N.C.
- Fulton Street, Fresno, Calif.
- Hillsboro Main Street, Hillsboro, Texas
- Logansport, Indiana, Logansport, Ind.
- Lost Nation Main Street, Lost Nation, Iowa
- Main Street Covington, Covington, Ga.
- Main Street Hayward, Hayward, Wis.
- Main Street Texarkana, Texarkana, Texas
- Market Street Mt. Carmel, Mount Carmel, Ill.
- New London, New London, Minn.
Semifinalist voting at MainStreetContest.com will run through May 27.
The top 10 semifinalists will be announced May 28. The winner of the 2018 “America’s Main Streets” contest will be announced June 4 followed by a “Main Streets Make Us Better” celebration on the Fourth of July, when the winner will announce how the prize money will be utilized.
Contest prizes include:
- $25,000 grand prize
- STIHL Equipment Certificate for $1,000 worth of STIHL equipment good at any STIHL dealer in the U.S.
- Do it Best Corp. $500 shopping spree
- PPG Paints $500 shopping spree
- Public relations and social media recognition
- Special plaque for winner to proudly display
For more information on Downtown Smithfield, visit: www.downtownsmithfield.com or contact (919) 934-0887.
To vote for “America’s Main Streets” semifinalists, visit MainStreetContest.com. Photo courtesy Amanda Underwood
