In a city where history and redevelopment increasingly meet along State Street, one local business owner has quietly spent the past several years working to ensure downtown Murray’s small businesses remain part of the conversation.

That work recently earned Jenn Kikel-Lynn the Spirit of Main Street Award, presented through Utah’s Main Street program in recognition of her efforts advocating for downtown Murray businesses.

For Kikel-Lynn, the recognition came as a surprise.

“I’m not driven by recognition—I’m driven by connections and relationships,” she said in a recent interview. “What it means to me is that my consistent effort to push to get resources for downtown Murray businesses is being recognized not only at the local level but also at the state level, which is amazing.”

A fourth-generation Murray resident and local business owner, Kikel-Lynn said her motivation for advocating for the city’s historic commercial district is deeply personal.

“My parents were both entrepreneurs with a business location in the downtown Murray area in the 1970s. It’s in my blood to be an advocate for all things Murray,” Kikel-Lynn said.

That perspective helped inspire her to launch Murray’s local Main Street program, a nonprofit initiative focused on strengthening the city’s historic business district through economic development, collaboration and community engagement.

The national Main Street America program began in 1980 as a model to help cities revitalize historic downtown districts. Utah’s statewide coordinating program was established in 1992 and moved under the Governor’s Office in 2021. Communities that participate work through a framework that emphasizes economic development, preservation of historic character and support for local businesses.

Kikel-Lynn started Murray’s local program in 2024 as a Tier 1 initiative. Within a short time, the program advanced to Tier 2 status, with plans to pursue national accreditation in the coming years.

“I saw a need, found a solution and created the nonprofit specifically for these downtown businesses,” she said. “I’m proud of myself for seeing the need and not hesitating as I started the program and found incredible community members to join together.”

Much of the work remains volunteer-driven. Kikel-Lynn coordinates committees focused on events and initiatives designed to bring downtown businesses together and draw residents into the area.

One of the most visible efforts came last spring when the Murray City Downtown District hosted its first Downtown Block Party, drawing local vendors, businesses and residents together for a community celebration; an event that will be repeated this June.

“As a committee, we planned this with minimal time with the support of city officials, and it was rewarding to see so many businesses and community members attend,” she said.

Kikel-Lynn said she insisted the event focus exclusively on Murray-based businesses.

“I was firm on only allowing Murray businesses,” she said. “That brought a level of local support to rally around small business.”

While events help bring attention to the district, Kikel-Lynn believes the long-term success of downtown Murray depends on collaboration among business owners, property owners and the community.

“A downtown is walkability,” she said. “It’s restaurants, services, theaters, shops, offices and gathering spaces—the everyday places that make life convenient and enjoyable.”

She also notes that downtown Murray extends beyond the storefronts most visible from State Street.

“It includes the side streets and the businesses many people drive past without realizing they’re part of something bigger,” she said.

Through the Main Street program, she has worked to connect business owners who previously had little organized representation.

“For the first time, the Main Street program is bringing all of these businesses together,” she said. “No organization has been solely focused on uniting and advocating for them like this before.”

In March, Kikel-Lynn was elected to the board of Preservation Utah, a nonprofit that champions the protection, restoration, and celebration of our Utah’s historic architecture and places.

Earlier this year, Kikel-Lynn traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in “Day on the Hill,” an advocacy event organized through Main Street America.

The event brought together more than 70 advocates from communities across the country to discuss federal support for business district revitalization. Kikel-Lynn was the only participant representing a Utah Main Street community.

“The Main Street program hasn’t had representation from Utah before,” she said. “They were very grateful that I was there not only representing Murray but also the state of Utah.”

The trip was voluntary and self-funded, but Kikel-Lynn said she believed the opportunity to advocate for local businesses at the national level was important.

Participants met with members of Congress to discuss the Capacity Building for Business District Pilot Program, legislation aimed at directing resources and technical assistance to local business districts that may lack access to federal grant programs.

The proposal would amend a section of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to support revitalization efforts in designated Main Street districts.

Because Murray now participates in the Main Street program, Kikel-Lynn said the city could benefit from future funding opportunities if such amendments move forward.

During the visit, she met with several members of Utah’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Blake Moore, along with staff members representing Sen. John Curtis, Rep. Celeste Maloy, Rep. Mike Kennedy and Rep. Burgess Owens.

“What an honor to have one-on-one conversations in their offices talking about being a business owner and also founder of a Main Street program,” she said.

Kikel-Lynn believes her dual role as a business owner and downtown advocate gives her a practical perspective when discussing economic development.

“As a business owner, I understand the real-life side of economic development—payroll, leases, risk, cash flow and what it takes to survive and grow,” she said. “I look at sustainability and long-term viability, not just short-term wins.”

At the same time, she said her work with the Main Street program focuses on strengthening the identity and character of Murray’s historic district.

“As a downtown advocate, I focus on place-based growth—supporting small businesses, preserving historic character and strengthening property values and community pride.”

As redevelopment projects and infrastructure improvements continue in Murray, Kikel-Lynn said many business owners are eager to remain engaged and ensure they remain part of the city’s future.

“I’m seeing downtown Murray businesses want to get more involved and not feel forgotten during the construction and redevelopment,” she said.

Through continued events, collaboration and advocacy, she hopes the community will continue to support the businesses that form the foundation of the city’s downtown.

“I’ve been able to get to know the owners, the renters, the employees and the stories behind these businesses,” she said. “They’re all incredibly important. They’re the foundation, and I’m just trying to make sure they feel heard.”