Photo courtesy of Jefferson Matters

One organization in Jefferson is moving forward with an application that would signify a high achievement.

Jefferson Matters is once again applying to be a Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), which is given to main street communities across the country that show their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich says in 2019 they were a semi-finalist, but they have their sights set higher this year.

“After a recent visit from one of the Main Street America staff people, who was here to kind of give us a preview of the new accreditation process, she said, ‘You guys should apply for GAMSA. You’re at that level.’ And so we really took that to heart and thought this is a good time to do it again.”    

Wetrich points out representatives from Main Street Iowa will help give them critiques and other comments before they submit the application. Wetrich says Art of Aries Studios in Jefferson is also helping to make the video component of their application by interviewing several different building and business owners in the downtown area. He adds the application deadline is July 26th.