 Brainerd is one of the top 10 communities still in the running for their small business revolution main street challenge. Our share Winckelman has that story. Brainerd was one of thousands of communities nominated from coast to coast. Those thousands of applications were then narrowed down into the top 20 and now the top 10. Brainerd has a great story. It really has something that a lot of people are getting excited about. They're getting behind and I think as getting into the top 10 we had to show that. We had to be able to demonstrate some of that. The Deluxe Corporation will soon travel to all 10 top communities for a two-day interview process. We're gonna host a small business reception at Roundhouse Brewery on January 10th. They're going to tour the downtown and meet with some people try to get the flavor of our community. A community that just finished their successful destination downtown contest and is using that as momentum to push them forward in this competition. We were excited to do the first contest and to see the outcome of that with three new businesses starting up and three very different businesses starting up and the excitement in the community has been great but now this takes it to such a greater level national recognition for the community. Now if Brainerd does win the grand prize is five hundred thousand dollars to use towards the revitalization of downtown and that will benefit businesses and and employment and employees here in town and that's very encouraging. In addition the winning community will receive one-on-one consulting for six small businesses and expert marketing advice. We don't expect the Deluxe Corporation to come in on a white horse and save the community. We need to do that herself but it could give us a big boost. In an effort to revitalize the businesses in downtown Brainerd. We should have a great pride in what we're doing what we've achieved so far and the potential that we have to to carry that on. The top five announcement will come sometime in mid-February and if Brainerd makes the cut they will need your support in the online voting. Reporting in Brainerd Sarah Winkleman Lakeland News. Everyone from the community is invited to attend the event at the Roundhouse Brewery on January 10th from 5 30 to 7 30 p.m. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.