National Main Street Center has announced the ten semi-finalists for the 2017 Great American Main Street Award with West Chester securing a well-earned place, according to a staff report from Main Street America.

The award is the highest recognition given by the National Main Street Center.

“Each year, we celebrate exceptional Main Street America organizations for their work in creating more economically, socially, and culturally vibrant commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, the Center’s President and CEO.

The praise given to the ten finalists is well deserved, as they have generated nearly a billion dollars in public and private reinvestment. Their work has also led to 5,679 new jobs, 1,085 new businesses and the revitalization of 1,359 buildings.

West Chester Business Improvement District in its 16-year history has generated more than $270 million in public and private investment and created 241 new businesses.

West Chester will be competing for the winning spot alongside locations such as Berlin, MD, Cedar Rapids, IA and Los Alamos, NM.

The winner will be announced in May during the Main Street Now Conference in Pittsburgh.

Read more about the nomination at Main Street America here and Barry Rabin’s very funny April 1st spoof of BID’s work here.