Hillsboro's Main Street has been named a semifinalist for the 2018 "America's Main Streets" content held by Independent We Stand, a national small business movement.
The contest aims to highlight main streets which play an important role in the long-term success of communities and help build a sense of place.
Over 300 programs were nominated and Hillsboro has now made the top 25.
Hillsboro Main Street's project area began in the late 1800s. Many buildings from that era are still remaining.
In recent years, Hillsboro, which has a population of 8,500, has seen a major increase in the city's downtown occupancy rate. From May 2015 to Jan. 2018 the downtown occupancy rate went from 64 percent to 91 percent.
Chris Moore, Hillsboro Main Street Manager, says downtown is now one of the most vibrant places in the area.
Voting opens on April 30 and ends on May 27. The top 10 semifinalists will be announced May 28 and the 2018 winner will be announced on June 4. The contest prizes include a $25,000 grand prize, a $1,000 certificate for STIHL equipment goods, a $500 shopping spree from Do It Best Corp., $500 to PPG Paints, public relations and social media recognition and a special plaque.
Voters can cast their pick for best Main Street once every 24 hours at mainstreetcontest.com.
The full list of quarterfinalist includes:
- Belleville Main Street in Belleville, Ill.
- Benicia Main Street in Benicia, Calif.
- Bridge Street in Ashtabula, Ohio
- Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
- Clarence Main Street, Clarence, Iowa
- Collierville, Tenn.
- Congress Street in York, S.C.
- Downtown Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont.
- Downtown Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Ill.
- Downtown Jeffersonville in Jeffersonville, Ind.
- Downtown Rochester in Rochester, Mich.
- Downtown Smithfield in Smithfield, N.C.
- Downtown Statesville in Statesville, N.C.
- Downtown Tupelo Main Street in Tupelo, Miss.
- East Troy, Michigan
- Edenton, North Carolina
- Fulton Street, Fresno, California
- Hillsboro Main Street in Hillsboro, Texas
- Logansport, Indiana
- Lost Nation Main Street in Lost Nation, Iowa
- Main Street Covington in Covington, Ga.
- Main Street Hayward in Hayward, Wis.
- Main Street Texarkana in Texarkana, Texas
- Market Street Mt. Carmel in Mount Carmel, Ill.
- New London, Minn.
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