Independent We Stand (IWS), a nationwide movement of independent small business owners who educate consumers about the importance and strong economic benefits of supporting them, announced its America’s Main Streets contest winner. Hudson, Massachusetts, won the National Main Street title and will receive a $25,000 cash prize plus prizes from STIHL, Do it Best Corp., tmbr Flooring and Nationwide Marketing Group.
More than one million total votes were cast nationwide by the public in the sixth annual contest for the 2021 America’s Main Streets “Road to Recovery” contest. The Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District rallied its vast 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. 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 IWS. “After several years of economic turmoil, we are excited to see how Downtown Hudson will utilize these funds to enhance their community.”
To read more about Hudson and the other semifinalists, click here.
