Vote now to advance LeClaire, Iowa to the next round

LECLAIRE, IOWA (April 12, 2019) — On February 25, Independent We Stand, a national small-business movement, kicked-off its fourth-annual America’s Main Streets contest to help consumers, small-business owners, and Main-Street organizations reward a deserving Main Street with $25,000 in cash and sponsor-related prizes. LeClaire, Iowa is among this year’s nominees.

“Our Independent We Stand America’s Main Streets contest shines a light on the pride business-owners and communities take in their Main Streets,” says Independent We Stand co-founder Bill Brunelle. “We know small businesses on these Main Streets help them thrive and have a measurable economic impact. This contest is a chance to share those stories with people from coast-to-coast.”

LeClaire is one of Iowa's most beautiful hidden-treasurers and home to some of the finest restaurants and shopping. This historic river-town on the Great River Road exudes turn-of-the-century charm and elegance. Home of the American Pickers and birthplace of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, LeClaire has the only tug-of-war across the Mississippi River during the Tugfest in August, and many other great events throughout the year. LeClaire is located just a few short miles north of the Quad Cities.

Promotion of the newly re-designated State of Iowa Culture and Entertainment District (CED) — which is also part of the Cody Road Historic District — is an important part of keeping the area vibrant and interesting to residents and visitors. The $25,000 would be used to enhance and promote the CED through website-improvements, print and digital maps, and downtown directories and banners.

Cindy Bruhn, LeClaire Tourism Manager, has shared, “LeClaire’s main street is always improving and growing. Pending projects include three new restaurants, planned expansion at the Mississippi River Distilling Company, extension of the downtown streetscaping to the north end of town, continuation of the Mississippi River Trail through LeClaire, and a marina district to enhance the river front.”

The first round of voting in the contest began as soon as LeClaire, Iowa was nominated and runs through April 21. All nominations and voting take place on MainStreetContest.com.

Important dates:

  • February 25 to April 21: “America’s Main Streets” nominations and quarter-finalist voting
  • March 4-8: “Great American Red, White & Q” road-trip
  • April 29 to May 26: “America’s Main Streets” semi-finalist voting
  • June 3: “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 US;
  • Do it Best Corp $500 shopping-spree;
  • Free One-Day Downtown Assessment from Flip This Town;
  • Nationwide Marketing Group $500 shopping-spree;
  • PPG Paints $500 shopping-spree;
  • Public relations and social-media recognition; and
  • A special plaque for the winner to proudly display.

For more information on LeClaire, Iowa, visit: www.visitleclaire.com or contact Cindy Bruhn at 563-650-7963 or info@visitleclaire.com.

Presenting Sponsor:

STIHL Inc, America’s number-one selling brand of gasoline-powered hand-held out-door 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 hand-held out-door power-equipment industry, choosing never to sell products at big-box stores, but instead remaining loyal to its 9,000+ authorized local STIHL dealers nationwide.

Supporting Sponsors:

About LeClaire, Iowa

LeClaire, Iowa is located at a point where the Mississippi River makes a sharp bend to the southwest. LeClaire's historic bond with the river and the bold men who tamed the Upper Rapids is still visible in the homes and buildings they left behind. On May 7, 1979, their homes were recognized as part of the nine-block Cody Road Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. LeClaire’s other attractions include the Buffalo Bill Museum/Lone Star Stern Wheeler, Green Tree Brewery, Mississippi River Distilling Co, Wide River Winery, and Antique Archaeology, home of the American Pickers.

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 authorized local STIHL dealers from coast to coast — not big-box stores. Associate sponsors include Nationwide Marketing Group, PPG, and Do it Best Corp.

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