HUDSON – Hudson, Massachusetts, has won the 2021 America’s Main Streets “Road to Recovery Contest,” emerging as the nation’s top Main Street out of an initial field of more than 200 entrants.
The group Independent We Stand announced this news on Monday morning, recognizing the work of the Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District to rally its network and customers to vote for Hudson.
The town will now receive a $25,000 cash prize as well as $1,000 worth of equipment from STIHL. The town also receives $500 shopping sprees at Do it Best Corp., tmbr Flooring and Nationwide Marketing Group, according to a press release.
Hudson will, additionally, get a plaque commemorating this win.
“We have worked for several years to revitalize Downtown Hudson, so winning this contest is a wonderful opportunity to continue these efforts,” Downtown Business Improvement District administrator Richard A. Braga, Jr. said in that press release.
There were initially 216 nominees to this national contest. Hudson rose to the top of the field, though, by first getting into the contest’s quarterfinals round of 25 communities. Hudson was named a semifinalist last week.
The winning money will now be used to promote culture, arts and creativity in the downtown area, Braga said.
“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,” he said.
Money will specifically fund accounting and financial advice services for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
It will help fund the ongoing effort to purchase and renovate the old National Guard Armory near downtown.
And it will expand “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,” Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle said on Monday. “After several years of economic turmoil, we are excited to see how Downtown Hudson will utilize these funds to enhance their community.”
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