The 2020 Levitt AMP communities were announced Friday, and Middlesboro is ecstatic to be part of the mission of the Levitt Foundation for the sixth year in a row. Middlesboro Main Street wants to extend a congratulations to every city listed and they are excited to be able to provide free live music again during 2020.

There will be 200 free concerts performed in 2020 with $500K awarded to provide the entertainment.

Earlier this fall, the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation named Middlesboro Main Street as one of three nonprofits across the United States to win a new, $75K multi-year matching grant over the next three years to present the Levitt AMP Music Series.

“This is an incredible opportunity for downtown Middlesboro, and we cannot thank the Levitt Foundation enough for their continued support. This past year was our best series yet, and with the ability to secure the Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series for three-year increments, we know we can take this series to a new level of success while continuing to promote the core mission of the Levitt Foundation by using free live music as a vehicle for positive change.

“It’s been incredible to witness how this series has grown each and every year, especially how our community and entire region has rallied behind it. We look forward to delivering an incredible 2019 series and beyond!” said Emily Ayers of Middlesboro Main Street

The two other nonprofits to win the multi-year matching grant are the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wis. and Trenton Downtown Association in Trenton, N.J.

“When we got the news about being one of three cities in the country to receive a multi-year grant, we were floored. The Levitt Foundation has done so much for our community, and we in turn try to be the torchbearers for their foundation and how it can positively influence small town America.

“The Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series is consistently the most positively received event in our region, and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to continue it for the foreseeable future. The ability to plan in advance is huge, and will enable our committee to develop the series in ways we haven’t been able to before now.

“We can market the series longer and focus our effort on building the best line up possible, helping make Bell County the regional hub for incredible live music in the process. We can’t thank the Levitt Foundation enough for this incredible commitment to Middlesboro.” Jon Grace with Bell County Tourism said.

Each of these nonprofits has received annual Levitt AMP grants during the past four consecutive years.

“We are thrilled to announce Middlesboro as a multi-year Levitt AMP grant award winner,” says Sharon Yazowski, executive director of the Levitt Foundation. “During the past four years, Middlesboro Main Street has shown tremendous impact in the community through Levitt AMP, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through the power of free live music, while creating a meaningful community gathering space in the heart of its historic downtown, developed through volunteer spirit and generous donations including a new permanent stage. We’re proud to continue our support of this inspiring community.”

In June, the Levitt Foundation invited nonprofits to submit proposals that would reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP awards: Amplify community pride and a town or city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of vibrant public Places.

Nonprofits that received a previous Levitt AMP grant were eligible to reapply. A total of 78 nonprofits from around the country submitted Levitt AMP proposals for 2019, and of these 42 proposals were advanced to the online voting phase, with the public invited to help choose the Top 25 finalists.