Hudson, Massachusetts Wins National Main Street Title

Independent We Stand has recognized Hudson, Massachusetts as the $25,000 winner of the 2021 America’s Main Streets “Road to Recovery” contest.

The Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District rallied its network of 85 property owners, partners at the Hudson Business Association and the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce, and their community to vote in support of its entry, according to Independent We Stand. The organization plans to utilize the prize money to enhance culture and the arts.

“We have worked for several years to revitalize Downtown Hudson, so winning this contest is a wonderful opportunity to continue these efforts,” says Richard A. Braga, Jr., Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District administrator. “Our intent from the beginning was to expand our cultural and art footprint downtown and we plan to use our cash prize to attract more general retail, with a creative focus.”

Planned initiatives earmarked for the cash prize include:

• Continuing to provide accounting and financial advice for the district’s businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic;
• Assisting in funding the purchase and renovation of a vacant Armory on a riverfront to a regional arts and performance center; and
• Expanding a culture and arts program that offers incentives to new businesses that meet specific criteria.

“The overwhelming support garnered by Downtown Hudson demonstrates the major impact small businesses can have on their communities,” says Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand. “After several years of economic turmoil, we are excited to see how Downtown Hudson will utilize these funds to enhance their community.”

In all, more than 1 million total votes were cast by the public nationwide in the sixth annual “America’s Main Streets” contest. The 2021 top 10 semifinalists in alphabetical order are:

• Downtown Canton, Canton, Georgia
• Downtown Hudson, Hudson, Massachusetts
• Eatonton Main Street, Eatonton, Georgia
• LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation, LaBelle, Florida
• Main & Broad Streets, Lititz, Pennsylvania
• Main Street Altus, Atlus, Oklahoma
• Main Street Hayward, Hayward, Wisconsin
• Main Street Homer, Homer, Louisiana
• Main Street Monroe, Monroe, Wisconsin
• Texarkana USA Amtrak Station Exterior and Platform Area, Texarkana, Texas

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; tmbr Flooring $500 shopping spree; Nationwide Marketing Group $500 shopping spree; and more.

Stihl Inc. is the founding sponsor of Independent We Stand and the presenting sponsor of America’s Main Streets contest. Supporting contest sponsors include: Do it Best Corp., Nationwide Marketing Group, North American Hardware and Paint Association and tmbr Flooring.

INDEPENDENT WE STAND
www.independentwestand.org