Jefferson has been ranked as one of the top Main Street Communities in the nation after being selected as a semifinalist for the 2025 Great American Main Street Award. A national jury selected eight semifinalists for the 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), recognizing excellence in historic downtown revitalization efforts through the Main Street Approach. The eight chosen semifinalists collectively generated over $695 million in local reinvestment, opened 975 new businesses, and created 7,190 jobs. The award honors programs for fostering community transformation, historic preservation, innovative programming, cross-sector partnerships, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Jefferson, with a population of just over 4,000, is among the semifinalists. Jefferson Matters has driven economic growth through cultural and historical initiatives, supporting multicultural families, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and small businesses. A focus on public art, including a rooftop mural initiative, has transformed the community, revitalized vacant spaces, and positioned downtown as a cultural destination. Winners will be announced during the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia in April 2025. Jefferson is joined by Berlin, Md., Denison, Texas, Easton, Pa., Farmington, Mich., Ralston, N.M., Vicksburg, Miss., and Wytheville, Va.
