INDEPENDENT WE STAND

News release

On Feb. 26, Independent We Stand, the national small business movement, kicked-off its third annual America’s Main Streets contest to help consumers, small business owners and Main Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes. Heart of Danville is among this year’s nominees.

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.”

“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.”

“The Heart of Danville is excited to be a nominee for the America’s Main Streets contest,” said Nick Wade, Heart of Danville director. “This competition allows people to not only show off their Danville pride, but to also show their support for downtown.”

The Heart of Danville works hard year after year to keep Danville’s downtown the commercial and social hub of the community. In its 31 years, the Heart of Danville has documented a tremendous amount of reinvestment and economic impact date for downtown, including:

• a net of 195 new or expanding business, bringing 1,479 new jobs to downtown,

• 136 renovation projects, totaling over $95 million,

• 30 new construction projects, totaling over $220 million.

“It is important to note that we do not act alone,” Wade said. “A successful Main Street organization is fueled by partnerships and volunteers. We have great community partners including the City of Danville and the rest of the Economic Development Partnership, but we also have support from the community and local businesses.”

Downtown Danville was the first Kentucky Main Street program to be designated a Great American Main Street winner by the National Main Street Program.

“We would love to add to Danville’s list of firsts, by being the first Kentucky community to be designated ‘America’s Main Street’,” Wade said.

Winning the America’s Main Street competition will help the Heart of Danville provide support for local businesses, as well as continue to come up with creative and innovative events and programs for the community.

The first round of voting in the contest began as soon as Heart of Danville was nominated and runs through April 22. All nominations and voting take place on MainStreetContest.com.

For more information on Heart of Danville, visit: https://www.downtowndanville.com/ or contact Heart of Danville at (859) 236-2361 ext. 140.

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.

About the Heart of Danville Main Street Program

The Heart of Danville Main Street Program was established in 1986 as a National Main Street program to revitalize and promote Danville’s historic downtown. Through quality events, thoughtful and creative promotion of downtown and small business, and business support the Heart of Danville has created an award-winning downtown. Learn more at DowntownDanville.com.