Benjamin Moore Announces 20 Communities Selected For Its 2013 Main Street Matters Program

Nearly Half A Million Voted For Their Favourite Community And Rallied Via Social Media For Support

MONTVALE, NJ, July 8, 2013 /CNW/ - 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, NJ to the colourful Texarkana, USA to the historic Penticton, BC the 2013 towns will receive a revitalization package including exterior painting of downtown businesses along a 2-to-3-block stretch in each location.

"We're thrilled about the enthusiasm and passion from local businesses and communities around for Main Street Matters," said David Melançon, 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, HA used YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and 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, while actor Mark Ruffalo rallied his followers on Twitter.

The 2013 Main Street Matters selected towns include:

• Attleboro, Massachusetts
• Ellicott City, Maryland
• Flint, Michigan
• Greeley, Colorado
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Hawley, Pennsylvania
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Joplin, Missouri
• Macon, Georgia
• Martinez, California
• Nyack, New York
• Penticton, British Columbia
• Placerville, California
• Sanford, North Carolina
• Sea Bright, New Jersey
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Stouffville, Ontario
• Texarkana, USA
• Westerly, Rhode Island
• Xenia, Ohio

The projects are due to begin this summer and continue through early 2014 and 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 façades, 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 colour experts will consult on colour choices.

To learn more about Main Street Matters, follow the revitalization process and learn about other partner organizations and businesses that will join Benjamin Moore in this movement, please visit www.paintwhatmatters.com or www.paintwhatmatters.ca.

About Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883 and established its Canadian operations in 1906. One of North America's leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings, its products are distributed through a network of independent paint and decorating retailers. Benjamin Moore has been a longstanding steward of the environment with a relentless commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices plus the ongoing development of the most eco-responsible formulations possible. Its portfolio of Green Promise^® products continues to grow and includes Aura^®, über-performance low-VOC paint; Benjamin Moore Natura™, the low-VOC interior paint, remaining low in any colour, any sheen; and, EcoSpec WB^® low-VOC paint for commercial interiors.

SOURCE: Benjamin Moore