New Iberia's downtown revitalization achievements exemplify the Main Street approach to commercial district revitalization and preservation of historic structures. "The revitalization of downtown New Iberia is the direct result of the community's unified goal to re-establish this historic commercial district," said Richard Moe, past-president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Private investors and community volunteers work alongside city government to create one of "the most beautiful Main Streets in the country," according to New York Times bestselling author James Lee Burke.
Today's downtown New Iberia, recognized by the National Main Street Center as a winner of the 2005 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), is an extension of its status as an antebellum center of culture, commerce, and tourism in the state of Louisiana. Charm and commerce blend well on New Iberia's Main Street. A large percentage of downtown buildings are completely renovated and restored, retaining the integrity of their original construction, making it popular for film crews as well as cultural tourists, and made all the more distinctive because of a wonderfully diverse mix of people and cultures. A revitalized downtown New Iberia exemplifies..."A Sense of Place"
The first round of voting in the contest began as soon as
NEW IBERIA MAIN STREET was nominated and runs through April 22. All nominations and voting take place on
MainStreetContest.com.
Important dates:
- February 26 to April 22: “America’s Main Streets” nominations and quarterfinalist voting
- April 30 to May 27: “America’s Main Streets” semifinalist voting
- June 4: “America’s Main Streets” winner announced
- July 4: “Main Streets Make Us Better” event; “America’s Main Streets” winner announces plans for $25,000 grand prize
Additional contest prizes include:
- STIHL Equipment Certificate for $1,000 worth of STIHL equipment good at any STIHL dealer in the U.S.
- Do it Best Corp. $500 shopping spree
- PPG Paints $500 shopping spree
- Public relations and social media recognition
- Special plaque for winner to proudly display
Presenting Sponsor:
STIHL Inc., America’s
number-one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment, is the founding sponsor of Independent We Stand and the presenting sponsor of America’s Main Streets contest. The company follows a unique distribution strategy in the handheld outdoor power equipment industry, choosing never to sell products at big box stores, but instead remaining loyal to its 9,000+ independent servicing dealers nationwide.
Supporting Sponsors:
About NEW IBERIA MAIN STREET. A group of Spaniards from Malaga founded New Iberia on the banks of the Bayou Teche in 1779. New Iberia is the only extant town in Louisiana to have been founded by Spaniards during the Colonial Era and in consideration of their homeland, the Spanish pioneers called their town “Nueva Iberia”. Downtown New Iberia Main Street is located in the Commercial National Register Historic District. Centuries-old live oaks and lush landscapes line the streets, creating a beautiful backdrop for the historic buildings which house quaint boutiques, charming bed & breakfasts, specialty shops, galleries, fine-dining, theaters, a state-of-the-art museum, upper-story residential homes as well as Shadows-on-the-Teche c. 1834, a National Trust antebellum plantation home.
About Independent We Stand
Independent We Stand is a nationwide movement of independent small business owners whose mission is to inspire other small business owners to better understand and celebrate their locally-owned status while educating consumers about the importance and strong economic benefits of supporting them. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored by
STIHL Inc.
STIHL products are sold through more than 9,000
servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not big box stores. Associate sponsors include
PPG and
Do it Best Corp.
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