The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that the city of Jefferson was recognized by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) with a Mainstreet Award for its streetscape improvements.
According to information released by the chamber, the award was presented during the WEDC’s 32nd awards presentation held Friday in La Crosse.
The recognition was given as part of the Connect Communities Award, naming Jefferson the “best revitalization initiative” in the “over 5,000 population” category.
As stated on the award certificate: “Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation hereby recognize your dedication to downtown revitalization, economic development and historic preservation.”
The Jefferson streetscape project was completed in the fall of 2022, the release stated.
Improvements made as part of the initiative included: decorative up-lighting on the city’s pedestrian bridge over the Rock River; placement of a digital kiosk information center; reconstructed sidewalks and crosswalks with brick pavers; updated trash cans, planters, and bike lockups on Main Street; the creation of a mural for the side of the community’s city hall; removal and replacement of trees and tree grates along the Main Street sidewalks; the addition of lights surrounding the trees, and a resurfaced alleyway adjacent to Main Street.
Quoted within the release, City Administrator Tim Freitag said: “We are very pleased and honored to receive the downtown streetscape beautification award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The goal of this project is to keep the historic downtown business core sustainable and to maintain it as the political, commercial, and cultural heart of the city. The project was made possible only with collaboration from a large number of stakeholders including the chamber of commerce, business owners, property owners, and residents living downtown.”
Other projects honored Friday included business and community development initiatives, historic preservation, community celebration and revitalization success stories from communities across Wisconsin, the release noted.
“It is such an honor to have our city recognized along with other unique initiatives across the state. This shows us that Jefferson is moving in a positive direction, along with some of our neighboring communities like Watertown and Lake Mills, both of which also had award winners. Hearing about these other projects has given me plenty of inspiration on what more can be done to continue this forward momentum,” Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan Cooper was quoted as saying in the release.
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Megan Cooper, at right, accepts on behalf of the city of Jefferson a Connect Communities award. The city’s 2022 streetscape project was selected for recognition by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. An awards ceremony was held Friday in La Crosse.
A slide, shared with event-goers Friday at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s 32nd awards ceremony, features elements of the streetscape improvement project completed in Jefferson last fall. The project was recognized as the best revitalization initiative in the state in the “over 5,000 population” category, receiving a Connect Communities Award.
Contributed photos.
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