Colorado Main Street Peers Select La Junta as Main Street Community and Manager for Annual Award
[LA JUNTA, COLORADO November 7, 2020] – At the annual Colorado Main Street Summit on November 6, 2020, La Junta’s Main Street and its Director, Cynthia Nieb, were selected by other Colorado Main Streets as the Colorado Main Street and Manager of the Year.
Gayle Langley, Colorado Main Street Manager, stated “Each year, the Colorado Main Street managers from across the state elect a Main Street community and manager of the year. This year, the dubious chicken and honor go to La Junta and Ms. Cynthia Nieb. La Junta has embraced the Main Street approach, build solid relationships with the business community, and has received numerous grants for downtown revitalization. Cynthia’s spirit, passion, and unending energy has been the leader of these efforts. The group echoed this statement during the Summit, “We wish we could all clone Cynthia!” Congratulations on your recognition by your peers and the Colorado Main Street staff.” A rubber chicken is passed on to the annual winner as recognition of achievement.
“We’re proud of what we have achieved in a brief amount of time,” said Jeffri Pruyn, Mayor of La Junta and Main Street La Junta board member. “This year in particular has been a block buster with grants from Heal Cities, CDOT, AARP, and Colorado Main Street for Livewell Park and the development of wider partnerships throughout the community and the region.” Main Street La Junta worked with the Space Business Round Table Road Show to bring the road show to the southeast, and they are now actively engaged with the sector. In addition, Main Street La Junta is part of a regional collaborative effort of six southeastern counties’ economic developers, Rocky Ford, and SECED, the newly name SECO Strong, that is launching a website funded through SE SBDC dedicated to promoting all businesses in southeastern Colorado. Main Street La Junta is also working with one of Jennifer Hall’s classes at the high school to create promotional videos of local businesses and is teaching students about grant writing. Added in the mix is the rehabilitation of the 1906 Presbyterian Church as well as DoLA REDI and CHFA grants for an economic development action plan. A December 2020 regional Jon Schallert virtual webinar is also in the works through SECO Strong.
“Main Street La Junta is able to move swiftly and build programs, projects, and relationships because of the support of La Junta City Council, the La Junta Main Street Board, and Mayor Jeffri Pruyn and City Manager Rick Klein. We have an excellent team that sets goals, communicates often, and moves forward with trust. That makes all of the different in the world,” said Cynthia Nieb, La Junta Main Street director. Main Street La Junta board members include Rick Klein, Bill Jackson, Pam Denahy, Jeffri Pruyn, Greg Kolomitz, and Timothy Alvarez.
