Laramie Main Street Alliance (LMSA) has been announced as a semifinalist for Main Street America’s Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), a national recognition of strong downtowns exemplifying innovative programing, commitment to preservation, engagement, diversity, and cross-sector partnerships.
“I am thrilled that downtown is being celebrated at a national level for the amazing work our community does in supporting its mom and pop businesses on Main Street,” LMSA Executive Director Trey Sherwood said.
LMSA was founded in 2005 by local volunteers interested in utilizing Main Street America’s Four Point Approach to downtown development. In their application, they identified a desire to “create a formal organizational structure” to provide leadership and manpower necessary to implement plans and maintain a strong foundation for downtown revitalization.” Since 2005, LMSA has been a steward of downtown projects including the Laramie Mural Project, Downtown Farmer’s Market, Laramie Brewfest, downtown bike racks, as well as the more recent payroll grants, Cowboy Cash, and safe shopping initiatives.
“The City of Laramie has worked closely with LMSA since their start in 2005. This national recognition is an honor for the whole community and shows what we can accomplish when we work together. ”
"The City of Laramie has worked closely with LMSA since their start in 2005. This national recognition is an honor for the whole community and shows what we can accomplish when we work together" Laramie City Manager, Janine Jordan said.
“The University of Wyoming and LMSA have developed a rich and positive town-gown collaboration which brings UW students downtown.” Said Jean A. Garrison, Ph.D., Professor, Co-Director of Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program.
GAMSA semifinalists were selected from a nationwide pool of accredited Main Street America applicants based on their successful and innovative uses of the Main Street Approach™. Criteria for winning include: strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, implementation of cross-sector partnerships, community outreach and stakeholder engagement, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. More than 100 communities have been recognized as winners since the award’s inception in 1995.
“This honor is in large part because of our collaboration with downtown business owners, the City of Laramie, University of Wyoming and the generous spirit of volunteerism inherent in our community. And, we share this recognition with past and present donors and volunteers who have invested in downtown’s beautification, preservation, economic and social vitality.”
“This honor is in large part because of our collaboration with downtown business owners, the City of Laramie, University of Wyoming and the generous spirit of volunteerism inherent in our community. And, we share this recognition with past and present donors and volunteers who have invested in downtown's beautification, preservation, economic and social vitality,” Sherwood said.
Winners for 2022’s GAMSA will be announced on May 16, 2022 at the Main Street Now Conference in Richmond, Virginia.
If you are interested in getting involved with Laramie Main Street Alliance to continue supporting downtown revitalization, fill out the volunteer interest form at: https://laramiemainstreet.org/getinvolved
Laramie Main Street Alliance strives to preserve historic Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality.
Laramie Main Street Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, operating as part of the State of Wyoming's “Wyoming Main Street” program under the Wyoming Business Council, guided by the principles of the National Main Street Program. More information can be found at laramiemainstreet.org.