Benjamin Moore Names 20 Cities to Receive Paint Makeovers in Its Main Street Matters Contest

With nearly half a million votes and an incredible outpouring of stories, viral videos and passionate pleas on paintwhatmatters.com and paintwhatmatters.ca, 20 communities across the U.S. and Canada have been selected for 2013 Main Street Matters to receive revitalizations by Benjamin Moore. From Sandy-stricken Sea Bright, N.J., to the colorful Texarkana, Texas, to the historic Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, the 2013 towns will receive a revitalization package including exterior paint for downtown businesses along a two- to three-block stretch in each location.

“We’re thrilled about the enthusiasm and passion from local businesses and communities around for Main Street Matters,” says David Melancon, chief marketing officer of Benjamin Moore & Co. “The incredible response is a testament to how strongly people feel for their community and we hope this movement continues to drive support for local businesses as every Main Street has a story.”

Throughout the six-week voting period, more than 130 communities rallied on paintwhatmatters.com and paintwhatmatters.ca to encourage excitement and votes in hopes of garnering a 2013 selection. Support for Main Street Matters didn’t stop there; officials, citizens and business owners from Joplin, Mo., to Hilo, Hawaii, used YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest to creatively encourage votes. Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and the town of Ellicott City, Md., each took to video with a comedic approach, appealing to Brad Pitt as a follow up to his voiceover for the Main Street Matters advertising campaign. Meanwhile actor Mark Ruffalo rallied his followers on Twitter.

The 2013 Main Street Matters selected towns include:

• Attleboro, Mass.
• Ellicott City, Md.
• Flint, Mich.
• Greeley, Colo.
• Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
• Hawley, Pa.
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Joplin, Mo.
• Macon, Ga.
• Martinez, Calif.
• Nyack, N.Y.
• Penticton, British Columbia, Candada
• Placerville, Calif.
• Sanford, N.C.
• Sea Bright, N.J.
• Sheboygan, Wis.
• Stouffville, Ontario, Canada
• Texarkana, Texas
• Westerly, R.I.
• Xenia, Ohio

The projects are due to begin this summer and continue through early 2014. They will be undertaken with the help of multiple partner organizations including Benjamin Moore’s longtime partner Make It Right, its network of independent dealers, plus local municipalities, small businesses and local Chambers of Commerce. Benjamin Moore will provide all necessary paint, stain and supplies for facades, porches, railings, shutters and other exterior building trims. The areas to be painted will be determined jointly with town representatives and residents, and Benjamin Moore color experts will consult on color choices.