The Downtown Tupelo Main Steet Association (DTMSA) is one of eight semifinalists for the 2020 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA).

According to the DTMSA, downtown Tupelo has built on its legacy as being the home of Elvis Presley and transformed its Main Street, from a buttoned-up corridor that closed at 5, to a bustling district with live music, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants.

The DTMSA says a $14 million streetscape project changed the face of Main Street, and a new development doubled the footprint of their downtown.  The city is thriving, with 83 businesses opening in the last five years generating over 1,300 jobs.  A three-time GAMSA semifinalist, Tupelo Main Street embraces the “Tupelo Spirit” with a range of inclusive community events and festivals.

“The Great American Main Street Award is a top honor within the commercial district revitalization field,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These eight outstanding semifinalists have demonstrated the impressive economic and community growth that is possible when commercial districts harness the power of the Main Street Approach. They’re a model for Main Street programs across the country working to achieve comprehensive, preservation-based revitalization.”

According to the National Main Street Center, the reinvestment statistics from this year’s semifinalists show the impact of their work. Together, these eight semifinalists have brought in over 1 billion dollars in public investment and half a billion dollars in private investment, generated 9,498 jobs, opened 459 new businesses, rehabbed 734 buildings, and logged 192,371 volunteer hours since their programs’ inceptions.

GAMSA semifinalists were selected from a nationwide pool of accredited Main Street America applicants based on their successful and innovative uses of the Main Street Approach.

The winner will be announced on May 18th in Dallas, Texas.

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