Main Street America has announced that the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), a Main Street Iowa organization, is a 2024 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) Semifinalist. This is the second time that Mount Vernon has been up for a GAMSA, with the last being in 2021.
This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. A jury of professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic reservation convened to review a nationwide pool of applicants. After thoughtful deliberation, the jury unanimously selected eight semifinalists that demonstrate exemplary use of the Main Street Approach™ to lead community-based transformation strategies in their downtowns.
The 2024 GAMSA Semifinalists are:
Downtown Camas Association — Camas, Wash.
Denison Main Street — Denison, Texas
Downtown Lansing, Inc. — Lansing, Mich.
NewTown Macon — Macon, Ga.
Madison Main Street Program — Madison, Ind.
Monroeville Main Street — Monroeville, Ala.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group — Mount Vernon
Swiss Bear, Inc. — New Bern, N. C.
“The Great American Main Street Award is the highest honor that we grant to organizations within our network,” said Matt Wagner, Chief Program Officer at Main Street America. “We are elated to recognize the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) and seven peer organizations as 2024 GAMSA Semifinalists for their incredible accomplishments in transforming their downtowns through innovative programs strategically designed to preserve their unique heritage, foster economic vitality, and create a welcoming atmosphere.”
From neighborhood commercial corridors within larger cities to small towns with traditional downtowns, the 2024 GAMSA Semifinalists represent the diversity of the Main Street America network and the power of the Main Street Approach™. Semifinalists have generated more than $1.48 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 881 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 3,827 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 2,164 historic buildings, and leveraged 306,986 volunteer hours.
“We are delighted to know that Mount Vernon has been recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Main Street revitalization process,” said Lisa White, Chair of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) and Associate Director of Development at Cornell College. “On behalf of the board of directors, staff and volunteers, we are thrilled to be considered one of the best in the country and look forward to sharing the spotlight with these seven other stellar programs at the National Conference in May.”
The 2024 Great American Main Street Award winners will be announced at the opening plenary of the 2024 Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham, Ala., May 6, 2024.
MVLCDG up for GAMSA award
October 5, 2023