Downtown Great Falls has made it to the top 10 in the America’s Main Streets contest from STIHL and Independent We Stand.

The winner will be announced June 4, followed by a “Main Streets Make Us Better” celebration on the Fourth of July, when the winner will announce how the prize money will be utilized.

Great Falls is quarterfinalist in Main Street contest for $25,000

The other finalists are: Belleville, Ill.; Benecia, Calif.; Ashtabula, Ohio; Collierville, Tenn.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; Rochester, Mich.; Fresno, Calif.; Hillsboro, Texas; and Covington, Ga.

On June 3, a panel of contest judges will rate the 10 finalists to determine a winner.

The grand prize winner gets $25,000; a $1,000 STIHL equipment certificate; $500 to spend with Do It Best Corp.; a $500 PPG Paints gift certificate; a plaque and recognition on Independent We Stand social media sites.

Great Falls is running for $25,000 prize in Main Street contest

The Great Falls nomination reads: “Downtown Great Falls, like any downtown, is the heart of our city. What sets us apart is that any venture to Great Falls provides a true, authentic Montana experience. We proudly serve as the Western Art capital of the world for one week every year in March! We offer arts, culture, and history in a vibrant, modern community surrounded by expansive, unspoiled, and diverse landscapes. Just as the Great Falls area was the basecamp for the Lewis & Clark expedition over 200 years ago, we serve as the basecamp today for a wide range of outdoor adventures. We are the third largest city in Montana, named after one of the five waterfalls on the Missouri River that runs right through our beautiful city. We are also a Certified Montana Main Street Community, one of only three in the state. Just like the Mighty Mo, Downtown Great Falls truly provides the continuous flow of the lifeblood in our community.”