(March 16, 2017) The Town of Berlin, having won the America’s Coolest Small Town campaign in 2014, is at it again, this time hoping to win the Independent We Stand “America’s Main Streets” contest.
In addition to giving the town a year of bragging rights, the contest offers the winner a $25,000 reward.
A nomination period opened on Feb. 27 and will run until April 23. The top 25 towns will then move onto the semifinalist period, which runs from May 1 to May 28. A panel of judges will rate the top-10 semifinalists and select a winner on June 5.
Berlin is one of about 120 towns that have been officially nominated. Ironically, the contest is sponsored by Andreas Stihl AG & Company, the German manufacturer of chain saws and other power tools.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said she intended to nominate Berlin in the contest last year, but missed the deadline for entry. This year, she’s doubling down.
“Before I did enter us in this contest, I checked with all the businesses to make sure they thought this was a good thing, because everybody has to help and share this on social media and promote it,” she said. “Overwhelmingly, they were all supportive and said they would help get the vote out.”
Wells said she also spoke with County Tourism Director Lisa Challenger, who helped spearhead the America’s Coolest Small Town campaign.
“Anything that gets Berlin in the spotlight, she’s all for. Anything that’s good for the town, why not?” Wells said. “This is a popularity contest. What makes this different from some of the others is that it comes with a cash prize.”
If the town won, Wells said she would invest the money to promote Berlin’s Main Street program.
“Plus, we would, hopefully, have a little bit of money set aside for a nice, celebratory party at the end,” she said. “It’s Berlin. There’s always a reason to have a party.”
To vote online, visit www.mainstreetcontest.com. To vote for Berlin, visit www.mainstreetcontest.com/ profile.php?id=61.
In addition to giving the town a year of bragging rights, the contest offers the winner a $25,000 reward.
A nomination period opened on Feb. 27 and will run until April 23. The top 25 towns will then move onto the semifinalist period, which runs from May 1 to May 28. A panel of judges will rate the top-10 semifinalists and select a winner on June 5.
Berlin is one of about 120 towns that have been officially nominated. Ironically, the contest is sponsored by Andreas Stihl AG & Company, the German manufacturer of chain saws and other power tools.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said she intended to nominate Berlin in the contest last year, but missed the deadline for entry. This year, she’s doubling down.
“Before I did enter us in this contest, I checked with all the businesses to make sure they thought this was a good thing, because everybody has to help and share this on social media and promote it,” she said. “Overwhelmingly, they were all supportive and said they would help get the vote out.”
Wells said she also spoke with County Tourism Director Lisa Challenger, who helped spearhead the America’s Coolest Small Town campaign.
“Anything that gets Berlin in the spotlight, she’s all for. Anything that’s good for the town, why not?” Wells said. “This is a popularity contest. What makes this different from some of the others is that it comes with a cash prize.”
If the town won, Wells said she would invest the money to promote Berlin’s Main Street program.
“Plus, we would, hopefully, have a little bit of money set aside for a nice, celebratory party at the end,” she said. “It’s Berlin. There’s always a reason to have a party.”
To vote online, visit www.mainstreetcontest.com. To vote for Berlin, visit www.mainstreetcontest.com/ profile.php?id=61.