A town in Carroll County, Maryland is in the running for a national award recognizing the top main streets in the country.
Downtown Sykesville Connection, the nonprofit that oversees historic preservation and community promotion in Sykesville’s downtown area, is one of eight semifinalists for the award. The full list includes:
- Astoria Downtown Historic District Association in Astoria, Oregon
- Main Street Farmington in Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan
- Tulsa Global District in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Downtown Wytheville Inc. in Wytheville, Virginia
- Main Street Steamboat Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Downtown San Marcos in San Marcos, Texas
- Downtown Sykesville Connection in Sykesville, Maryland
- Columbia Main Street in Columbia, Tennessee
In a post on their Facebook page, Downtown Sykesville Connection officials expressed gratitude for receiving recognition of their “years of inclusive revitalization work, creative placemaking, and community-centered impact.”
“Being chosen among just eight semifinalists signals that storytelling, connection, and diversity matter in every corner of Main Street,” the officials wrote.
They added, “This nod isn’t just an accolade—it’s a renewal. A call to keep building, listening, and innovating alongside you, the people of Sykesville. Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s go further together.”
A former slave plantation called Springfield Estate in the 1800s, the area would later grow into the town of Sykesville, where Baltimoreans often vacationed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sykesville’s Main Street faced a 25% vacancy rate by the early 2000s. But the Downtown Sykesville Connection helped turn that fate around when, in 2017, it separated from the town government and became an independent nonprofit, according to the Main Street America website.
“With a distinct identity, DSC became the conduit that amplified community capacity, turned fragmented stakeholders into collaborators, and revealed how authentic connection can be the backbone of revitalization. Today, Downtown Sykesville is fully occupied, with thriving businesses, innovative placemaking, and strong public-private partnerships fueling continued growth,” reads the national website.
Main Street America will spotlight each of the seminfinalists on their social media channels throughout the month of October.
The winners will be announced at the Great American Main Street Award ceremony on April 13, 2026 at the 2026 Main Street Now Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
