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GRAND MARAIS -- UPDATE 9 a.m. Friday

As of 9 a.m. Friday morning, Grand Marais had lengthened its lead slightly to 15,000 votes over second place Fairbury Illinois.  The competition ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Thursday, 7:45 p.m. 

Grand Marais is fighting to the finish in the online Reader's Digest competition, "We Hear you America."  They've remained in the top spot since November.

The community is trying to win $40,000 in the competition to build a much-needed break wall, one that would save their shrinking harbor.

With four days left in the competition, Grand Marais is concerned that they're running out of both time and steam to save their harbor.  They fear they may lose their top spot to close second, Fairbury, Illinois, who stole first for a few hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

They say they need the money to save their harbor; the heart and soul of their community.

"Of course the reason the community is here is because of the harbor," said Burt Township supervisor, Jack Hubbard.  "This harbor has been here from the beginning of time, and the town was built around the harbor."

So how has this tiny town of 300 residents raked in so much support?  They say they have friends around the world who appreciate their snowmobiling, fishing, and kayaking.

"Everybody loves Grand Marais," said resident, Janie Dowe.  "One person picked up five people, one person picked up ten.  I can't think of a state that we are not getting votes from."

If a new break wall isn't built, the harbor will likely close by 2013, some say.  Rough waters and shallow depths make the harbor dangerous, and with no harbor, there will be no community.

"If the harbor goes, I'm going," said resident Robert Nyman.

"We would definitely lose a lot of business and I'm sure a lot of other businesses in town here in Grand Marais would. too.  We need the break wall really bad," said Amy Hassenzahl, owner of the local Sportsman's Restaurant.

"Get out and vote and please pass it on to your friends.  This is very important," said Stephanie Nyman.

It only takes about a minute to vote.  Just visit the Grand Marais cheer page, then click "cheer" ten times.  Every vote gets the community one step closer to their new break wall.