Vicksburg Daily News –
VICKSBURG, MS – Main Street America named Vicksburg Main Street as a 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) Semifinalist. 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 community and economic development and historic preservation convened to review applicants from across the nation. After thoughtful deliberation, they unanimously selected eight semifinalists. These semifinalists showcase exemplary use of the Main Street Approach
to drive community-based transformation strategies in their downtowns.
The 2025 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists are:
- Berlin Main Street – Berlin, Maryland
- Denison Main Street – Denison, Texas
- Easton Main Street Initiative – Easton, Pennsylvania
- Main Street Farmington – Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan
- Jefferson Matters – Jefferson, Iowa
- Raton MainStreet/Arts & Culture District – Raton, New Mexico
- Vicksburg Main Street Program – Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Downtown Wytheville Inc. – Wytheville, Virginia
“I am honored to congratulate the eight Main Street organizations as 2025 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists and to celebrate their incredible accomplishments,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “This year’s semifinalists demonstrate exceptional achievements in reenergizing their downtowns through inclusive, collaborative organizing and innovative economic development, arts and culture, and historic preservation initiatives.”
Main Street Semifinalists
Collectively, the 2025 GAMSA semifinalists have generated over $695 million in local reinvestment, helped open 975 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 7,190 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 1,568 historic buildings, and leveraged 333,050 volunteer hours.
Competing for the Great American Main Street Award is a significant achievement in the Main Street Movement, and receiving the award is an esteemed honor. Since its establishment in 1995, only 112 of over 2000 Main Street programs have been acknowledged as GAMSA-winning communities. Many Main Street programs create multi-year plans to build a strong application. These plans focus on outcomes that make meaningful impacts in their local communities. Organizations understand the selection criteria. They focus on the program’s strength in driving community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, and cross-sector partnerships. Community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion are also key. Through these efforts, they work toward earning this recognition.
Downtown Vicksburg on the move
Kim Hopkins, Vicksburg Main Street Director, said that the community has been working together to create opportunity in our downtown area. Downtown Vicksburg is on the move, and this was a perfect time to nominate Vicksburg Main Street for this designation.
“Vicksburg Main Street’s downtown revitalization efforts over the past 40 years serve as an inspiring example of what communities can achieve when they come together with vision, determination, and long-term commitment to the Main Street Approach,” said Hopkins. “We are so excited for the opportunity to showcase our spectacular downtown and the investment the community has put into making it a bustling district.”
The jury selected Downtown Vicksburg from applicants across Main Streets throughout the U.S. They chose Vicksburg for its diversity, growth, strategic partnerships, and dedication to historic preservation and revitalization. During the application process, Vicksburg Main Street highlighted downtown Vicksburg’s dedication to entrepreneurship and mentorship. They emphasized the district’s diverse offerings of recreation and entertainment. They also showcased how they use resources to create new opportunities in the area. Additionally, Vicksburg Main Street reported a significant drop in downtown’s commercial vacancy rate, decreasing from 65% in 1984 to just 4% today. Local and statewide leaders are excited about the recognition.
Vicksburg Main Street: From Vacant to Vibrant
Vicksburg Main Street brings together historic preservation, recreation, and community engagement to promote a beautiful and thriving downtown. Signature activities include Second Saturday events, which combine live music, art, and shopping. Another key activity is the “From Vacant to Vibrant” tours. These tours inspire community members to imagine new uses for underutilized commercial spaces. They also encourage the co-creation of the organization’s business attraction strategies. These efforts have driven a rise in foot traffic, increased business revenue, and stronger community engagement.
“We are incredibly proud that Vicksburg Main Street has been selected as a top 8 semi-finalist for the Great American Main Street Award,” said Mayor George Flaggs. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, vision, and dedication of our local businesses, community members, and leadership. I’d especially like to recognize Kim Hopkins, our Director of Main Street, for her hard work and the outstanding job she’s done in continuing to move Vicksburg forward. Our Main Street is more than just a historic hub; it’s a vibrant reflection of Vicksburg’s resilience, creativity, and spirit.”
“The Mississippi Main Street Association is thrilled, but not surprised, to learn of Vicksburg Main Street’s recognition as a 2025 GAMSA Semifinalist,” said Jim Miller, Mississippi Main Street Association Executive Director. “Rarely can a community boast such a rich past, thriving present, and bright future, but Vicksburg can, thanks to the work of Vicksburg Main Street and the countless other stakeholders who call Vicksburg home. Vicksburg is the truly epitome of the Great American Main Street!”
Vicksburg Main Street Board of Directors
The Vicksburg Main Street Board of Directors is comprised of eleven members committed to the progress of downtown Vicksburg. The 2024 Vicksburg Main Street Board Chairman is Amber Morton. Morton is the owner of several businesses downtown including Leigh’s Boutique, Crickets, and Morton CPA.
“The Main Street Board of Directors is very excited to be a semi-finalist for Great American Main Street,” said Morton. “This recognition would not be made possible without the work that our business owners, property owners, developers, and city leaders have put into our downtown district. It makes me so proud to celebrate this achievement with our downtown community!”
The 2025 Great American Main Street Award ceremony will take place during the opening plenary of the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 2025. During the event, three semifinalists will receive this prestigious honor.
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