Virginia Beach, Virginia (Feb. 25, 2019)—Independent We Stand has announced the launch of the fourth annual America’s Main Streets contest. The 3-month-long, web-driven contest helps consumers, small business owners and Main Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes. 

“We know Main Streets across America help build a sense of place in their communities and are home to countless small, locally-owned businesses,” says Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “Independent We Stand wants to help them thrive and have an even greater economic impact by recognizing the pride business owners and communities take in their Main Streets. This contest is a chance to share those stories.”

All nominations and voting take place on MainStreetContest.com, beginning at 10 a.m. EST on February 25.

To help promote the contest, the Independent We Stand team heads out for the “Great American Red, White & Q” road trip starting March 4. The team will visit some of the best United States cities for barbeque by making stops on five iconic Main Streets in five days where they will eat, sleep and shop local, as well as interview and engage with small businesses, their customers, Main Street groups and small business organizations.

You can follow their journey through Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Kansas City, Missouri on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Important dates:

  • February 25-April 21: “America’s Main Streets” nominations and quarterfinalist voting
  • March 4-8: “Great American Red, White & Q” road trip
  • April 29-May 26: “America’s Main Streets” semifinalist voting
  • June 3: “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 goods at any STIHL dealer in the U.S.
  • Do it Best Corp. $500 shopping spree
  • Free 1-day downtown assessment from Flip This Town
  • Nationwide Marketing Group $500 shopping spree
  • PPG Paints $500 shopping spree
  • Public relations and social media recognition
  • A special plaque for the winner to proudly display

Presenting Sponsor:
STIHL Inc. gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment producer, 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 remain loyal to its over 9,000 authorized local STIHL dealers nationwide.

Supporting Sponsors: