Contest empowers consumers and business owners to celebrate their Main Streets

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – On February 26, the third annual America’s Main Streets contest kicks off to help consumers, small business owners and Main Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes. America’s Main Streets play an important role in the long-term success of communities and help build a sense of place reinforcing this year’s theme: “Local Memories. Lasting Impact.” Independent We Stand invites the public to nominate and vote for their favorite Main Street — whether it’s making a comeback or never lost its staying power.

“Our Independent We Stand America’s Main Streets contest shines a light on the pride business owners and communities take in their Main Streets,” says Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “We know small businesses on these Main Streets help them thrive and have a measurable economic impact. This contest is a chance to share those stories with people from coast-to-coast.”

All nominations and voting take place on MainStreetContest.com beginning February 26.

In the spirit of the contest, the Independent We Stand team hits the road for the “Great American River Road Trip” starting March 12, visiting five iconic Main Streets in five states in five days. The team will stop in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Davenport, Iowa; Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Memphis, Tenn. and Baton Rouge/New Orleans, La. to celebrate the contest, as well as interview and engage with small businesses, their customers, Main Street groups and small business organizations. Follow their journey on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Important dates:
February 26 to April 22: “America’s Main Streets” nominations and quarterfinalist voting
March 12-16: “Great American River Road Trip”
April 30 to May 27: “America’s Main Streets” semifinalist voting
June 4: “America’s Main Streets” winner announced
July 4: “Main Streets Make Us Better” event; “America’s Main Streets” winner announces plans for $25,000 grand prize

Additional contest prizes include:
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

Presenting Sponsor:
STIHL Inc., America’s number-one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment, is the founding sponsor of Independent We Stand and the presenting sponsor of America’s Main Streets contest. The company follows a unique distribution strategy in the handheld outdoor power equipment industry, choosing never to sell products at big box stores, but instead remaining loyal to its 9,000+ independent servicing dealers nationwide.

Supporting Sponsors:
Do it Best Corp.
North American Retail Hardware Association
PPG Paints

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 9,000 servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not big box stores. Associate sponsors include PPG and Do it Best Corp.