Wytheville Named 2025 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalist!

Posted on by Department of Housing and Community Development

Every year, Main Street America selects three communities to receive the prestigious Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). The GAMSA is given to communities whose successes serve as a model for comprehensive, preservation-based revitalization efforts in the downtown. This year, Wytheville, Virginia has earned the well-deserved distinction of being named one of just eight communities nationwide to advance as a GAMSA semi-finalist.

This award is well-earned recognition for Downtown Wytheville, Inc., which is also marking 10 years as an Advancing Virginia Main Street (AVMS) community. Over the past decade, the organization has played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and community development, achieving the following milestones:

  • Nearly $10 million in public investment
  • Over $22 million in private investment
  • 338 private improvement projects completed
  • Creation or retention of 268 jobs
  • A remarkable 38,187 hours of volunteer contributions

These accomplishments reflect a decade of dedication, collaboration, and commitment to revitalizing Downtown Wytheville as a vibrant and thriving community hub.

“I am honored to congratulate the eight Main Street organizations as 2025 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists and to celebrate their incredible accomplishments. This year’s semifinalists demonstrate exceptional achievements in reenergizing their downtowns through inclusive, collaborative organizing and innovative economic development, arts and culture, and historic preservation initiatives.” – Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes

“We are honored and humbled to be chosen as a semi-finalist for the Great American Main Street Award. This award exemplifies the hard work of so many within our community. We have seen vision become reality and naysayers become believers time and time again, and we will continue to push for all that is possible. This nomination is about our town and building on the sense of place and experience right here at home. Being able to put Wytheville in the spotlight and keep our community relevant and thinking forward is my number on goal as the director.”

– Todd Wolford, Executive Director, Downtown Wytheville, Inc.

Congratulations to Wytheville on this significant achievement!

Photo Credit: Downtown Wytheville, Inc.