Since 1999, Jacksonville Main Street has been striving to enhance the quality of life, cultivate historic integrity, and help businesses thrive through partnerships and programming in downtown Jacksonville, Illinois. With the vision of creating a vibrant and thriving downtown for all at the forefront of everything we do, volunteers create music festivals, shopping activities, and heritage based public art that unites the community in its historic central business district. The 501(c)(3) has been honored for its work over the years with over 40 Lt. Governor Awards in Excellence in Downtown Revitalization, a Governor's Hometown Award, 2 Richard Driehaus Preservation Awards, and a Great American Main Street Award. But even more important than accolades, Jacksonville Main Street has helped encourage dozens of building rehabilitations and new business development that has turned downtown from a place to avoid into a destination for visitors and residents alike. Future work includes creating spaces for younger people, making new technology more accessible, and developing more business training opportunities downtown.