The 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winner recognizes Main Street communities that excel at comprehensive, preservation-based commercial district revitalization. “It is a great honor for the entire community for Downtown Rock Springs to be selected as the 2018 Great American Main Street Award winner,” said Carl Demshar, mayor of Rock Springs. “The award is a result of the hard work we’ve done to revitalize downtown, but the economic benefits will ripple throughout the entire community.”

The Rock Springs award application drew the attention of the national jury – comprising community development professionals and economic/historic preservation agency representatives – because of its focus on restoring and revitalizing two historic buildings that anchor Downtown Rock Springs, the Freight Station and the new Broadway Theater. The emphasis on supporting Latino business owners was another stand-out measure.

The Freight Station, which had been abandoned for more than 30 years, is now a community center bustling with weekly events. It houses the Visitors Center where travelers can get recommendations and use the public restrooms. The Broadway Theater is downtown’s new live performance art venue. The 370-seat theater hosts a range of shows each year that draw visitors from far and wide. Because Hispanic-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of the economic boom downtown, Rock Springs Main Street has worked hard to increase services to this population. The organization has developed an Ethnic Enclave Business District, allowing Rock Springs Main Street to engage with business owners in a more effective way. Additionally, Rock Springs Main Street hosts events encouraging patronage at Hispanic-owned businesses.

“I’m so proud of the work we have done in Downtown Rock Springs to reshape the district back into the vibrant, exciting area it once was, and winning this prestigious award is validation of the work we’re doing,” says Chad Banks, manager of the Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency (URA), which has been working to revitalize Downtown Rock Springs for the last 10 years. “It wouldn’t be possible without the support of the city, the URA/Main Street Board and the countless volunteers who give their time and talents to ensure the success of the program. I look forward to getting back to Rock Springs and celebrating this win with the community.”

The 2018 Great American Main Street Awards are sponsored by U.S. Bank. Downtown Rock Springs is a member of Wyoming Main Street, the state coordinating agency for the National Main Street Center program. Wyoming’s 15 Main Street communities opened 33 net new businesses and created 228 net new jobs in 2017. Every dollar invested in the Wyoming Main Street program last year returned $3.22, according to the Wyoming Business Council, the state agency in charge of the Wyoming Main Street program.

Rock Springs is the second Wyoming community to win the National Main Street Center’s Great American Main Street Award, the organization’s highest honor. Go to www.wyomingbusiness.org, or call 1-800-262-3425, for more information about the Wyoming Business Council. Rawlins earned the award in 2015.