“What they don’t have is a bigger heart; and bigger potential to rally the positive momentum of its citizens.” – Lisa Konicki, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce

Westerly is one of the top 25 towns in the running to be named as having the Best Main Street in America, a title that wins $25,000 in a contest running now.

“It’s all good news today,” said Lisa Konicki, of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, who had submitted Westerly in the contest and had to keep mum about getting into the top 25 until 10am, to go by contest rules.

Konicki called a town meeting for 9:45 and at 10am, promptly announced – to whoops and cheers – the news of Westerly being among the finalists. Westerly is the only New England town to have made the top 25 out of a pool of 242 other towns that were also in the running.

Konicki says that Mrs. Bouchard’s first grade class, which she visited recently, played a big part in getting the importance of the vote out; 156,000 votes were cast to name the top 25. 

Lisa Konicki, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce

Voting is open from May 1st until May 28th, to wean the list of 25 finalists down to the top ten. One vote per 24 hours, per IP address is allowed.  

Business owners can get signs from the chamber of commerce to promote the contest at their place of business. Voting can be done here: www.mainstreetcontest.com. The winner will be announced on June 5th.

“What are we going to do with the money? I don’t know,” said Konicki. “We’re going to win it first.” 

Konicki then listed many improvements to the downtown area that the chamber has worked on and would like to expand upon, such as security cameras, bike racks, flower pots, and the Bricks and Murals initiative.

“Money should help businesses thrive,” she said, noting also that today is the first day of Small Business Week, and that “all over the country, hopefully, small businesses are being recognized for the amazing contributions they make to their local economies.”

In addition to the prize money, the publicity of winning could be a boon to local businesses.

Westerly is one of the smaller towns in the running. But though the other towns may have larger populations, said Konicki, “what they don’t have is a bigger heart; and bigger potential to rally the positive momentum of its citizens.”