Downtown Revitalization Leaders Honored at Main Street Conference

North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and Assistant Secretary Dr. Patricia Mitchell highlighted downtown revitalization efforts across the state at an awards celebration in Morganton March 19.

The N.C. Main Street Awards Conference featured 23 awards to participants in the N.C. Main Street and Small Town Main Street programs. Winners are recognized for excellence in downtown revitalization efforts in categories that include promotion, organization, design and economic restructuring.

“Congratulations are in order for North Carolina’s Main Street Champions and award winning programs,” said Secretary Skvarla. “Their hard work breathes new life into downtowns all across our state and provides opportunities for small business as well as entertainment options for our citizens.”

The North Carolina Main Street program helps small towns preserve their historic fabric. Local resources help participants build on their community’s unique characteristics to create vibrant central business districts. This year’s award winners were chosen by a panel of independent judges from dozens of applications submitted by Main Street participants throughout the state.

The Small Town Main Street program is designed to provide downtown revitalization assistance to small towns with a population of less than 7,500 that are not likely, due to size or resource limitations, to pursue the regular program. Admittance into the Small Town Main Street program is through a competitive application process.

2014 N.C. SMALL TOWN MAIN STREET AWARDS

ORGANIZATION: Cherryville – Cherryville Small Town Main Street Master Work Plan
PROMOTION: Benson – Say “I Do” In Benson
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING: Tryon – St. Luke’s Plaza

2014 N.C. MAIN STREET AWARDS

ORGANIZATION:
- Best Public-Private Partnership in Downtown Revitalization
  - Sanford – Chatham Street Parking Lot
- Best Innovation
  - Burlington – The Elon University and Downtown Burlington Partnership for Revitalization
  - Eden – Rockingham Community College Center for Brewing Sciences
  - Morganton – Best Public Relations Effort – Morganton’s Main Street Program Energizes Downtown
- Best Fundraising Effort
  - Fuquay-Varina – Dinner on Depot Street
PROMOTION:
- Best Downtown Special Event or Event Series
  - Wake Forest – Wake Forest Dirt Day
- Best Image-Building Campaign
  - Morganton – City of Morganton Wayfinding Program
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING:
- Best Economic Development Incentive
  - Burlington – The Burlington Downtown Corporation Small Grants Program
- Best Adaptive Reuse Project
  - Elkin – The Liberty Renovation Project
  - Newton – Repurposing of 19 College Avenue
  - Salisbury – Emma’s of Salisbury
- Best Upper Floor Redevelopment
  - Eden – Washington Street Lofts
  - Goldsboro – Edgerton Building Apartments
  - Wilson – Nash Street Lofts
- Best Business Retention, Expansion or Recruitment Effort
  - Morganton – Creative Arts Center Recruitment Initiative
  - Waynesville – Wells Events & Reception Center
DESIGN:
- Best Historic Rehabilitation Project
  - Edenton – Historic Preservation of the 1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse
- Best Facade Rehabilitation Project for $15,000 or Less
  - Clinton – Facade Improvement Project at 117 Vance Street
- Best Outdoor Space Improvement
  - Elkin – 2013-2014 Main Street Mural Grant Project
  - Hendersonville – Downtown Hendersonville Main Street Streetscape Rehabilitation Project

Videos featuring each Main Street Award winner are available online. For more information about the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Main Street program, visit www.nccommerce.com.