With less than a week remaining in USA Today’s 10Best Awards’ online contest for the “Best Small Town for Shopping,” Sequim remains at No. 3 after slipping last week from the top spot.

Business and city leaders continue to promote the contest for Sequim and are optimistic that it can still win over current leaders Lewes, Delaware and Berlin, Maryland.

Shelli Robb-Kahler, executive director of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, said she’s been sharing the contest any way possible whether online or in person.

“I think it’s important,” she said. “It definitely promotes Sequim and anything that encourages people to shop local is important.”

Locals can vote up to twice per day through 9 a.m. Monday, May 14 at www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-for-shopping/.

Sequim faces 19 other cities with populations of 25,000 or less chosen by a panel of travel writers and bloggers. This year’s contest follows Sequim’s win last year as USA Today’s “Best Northwestern Small Town.”

While it’s unknown to the public how many votes separates the leaders, Barbara Hanna, the City of Sequim’s communications and marketing director, said she’s trying to keep the contest in front of people via social media because “a good burst of votes could put us back on top.”

“I’ve had people personally thank me for reminding them,” she said. “I do think we have a lot of people not from the area voting for us too.”

Robb-Kahler said she knows the business community appreciates the support through the campaign.

Whether Sequim comes in first or third, Hanna said being nominated is a “tremendous nod for our businesses.”

“This reminds people how important it is to shop local,” she said. “It draws attention to the variety of shopping we do have available throughout the city. We have new retail opening at different levels, which shows there’s confidence in retail here. That’s a positive for everybody.”

Online, judges say Sequim “enjoys a walkable downtown filled with gift shops and cafes, and punctuated by a historic grain elevator.”

Winners of USA Today’s various contests will be announced at www.10Best.com on Friday, May 18.