In an exciting series of events, Marietta Ohio has been shortlisted from 14,000 nominations to just 8 towns across the United States as a semifinalist to win $500,000 and a web series on Hulu.com thanks to The Small Business Revolution Main Street Contest sponsored by Deluxe Corporation. The SBR Team is visiting Marietta this upcoming Friday, Jan. 6th and Saturday, Jan. 7th to film, interview, and experience downtown Marietta.
“This is an honor beyond measure to have been selected as a semi-finalist,” says Cristie Thomas, Executive Director of Marietta Main Street. “We have a very special community with an abundance of natural assets, achievements to be proud of, and people with warm hearts and kind spirits, plus an incredible line-up of vibrant small businesses downtown. I’ve got no doubt that the Small Business Revolution team will feel welcome and be impressed when they arrive.”
The Small Business Revolution Main Street Contest launched last year with Wabash, IN as a finalist. Their web-series showcases skillful videography and interviews that bring viewers into the stories of revitalization across their town. Six small businesses were selected as the top recipients of the funding for projects that ranged from branding to website design to product development and façade improvements, signage, and more.
Betsy Cook, Member of Riverside Artists Gallery, shares “The opportunity to get business ideas and marketing ideas, as well as feedback from out-of-towners with an expertise in these areas, is invaluable. It’s just exciting to be considered.”
Downtown Marietta will welcome The Small Business Revolution team into Marietta on Friday, Jan. 6th with the launch of Marietta Main Street’s new program First Fridays. The theme for Friday night’s event is Fire & Ice and will feature downtowns shops open late, ice sculptures throughout downtown, fire performances, live music, and local artists.
The Small Business Revolution team will start filming at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7th with interviews with local community leaders and then continue their filming and interviews with a wide variety of small business owners in the Main Street District. This weekend’s visit will determine whether or not Marietta will move on to become a finalist, which will be announced on February 9th. After a week of online nationwide voting, the official winner of this year’s Small Business Revolution Main Street Contest will be announced on February 22nd.
Chuck Swaney, Theatre Director of Peoples Bank Theatre, shares in the excitement. “The Small Business Revolution visit is a game-changer for the City of Marietta and puts us back at the forefront to share why we think Marietta is the best city in the U.S. to live,” says Swaney.
For those looking to show their support for Marietta and join Main Street in welcoming the SBR team with excitement, turn to your social media and use the hashtag #MyMarietta to share what you love most about Marietta, Ohio. Also, head into downtown Marietta on Saturday to meet The Small Business Revolution team, shop local, and be a part of the excitement as they film and interview small business owners. Feel free to use either of the below promotional graphics to showcase your #MyMarietta love!
Other cities in the running for the $500,000 are Georgetown, SC, Bristol Borough, PA, Woodland Park, CO, Frostburg, MD, Red Wing, MN, North Adams, MA, and Kingsburg, CA. Learn more by visiting www.mariettamainstreet.org or www.smallbusinessrevolution.org.
