Special to Atmore News
On August 15, Main Street Alabama held its eleventh annual Awards of Excellence Banquet at the Community House in Monroeville to celebrate the successes of local programs.
Main Street Alabama President and State Coordinator Mary Helmer Wirth and Assistant State Coordinator Trisha Black recognized projects and individuals who made significant contributions to their communities.
Local Main Street programs selected a Main Street Hero that honored an individual, business or organization that made an outstanding contribution to their program and was recognized at the Toast to Heroes Reception sponsored by Regions Bank prior to the banquet. Main Street Atmore recognized Nancy Bosenberg Karrick as the hero for her book Memories of Main Street: Atmore, Alabama – A Special Place Remembered in Words and Pictures, produced by NewSouth, Inc.
Main Street Atmore received five awards Thursday night.
“We are deeply honored to have been recognized by Main Street Alabama for our ongoing efforts to enhance our historical downtown. Receiving this award on behalf of our city and our neighbors is truly humbling,” Executive Director of Main Street Atmore Shinora Redmond said.
Receiving awards for Main Street Atmore were Shinora Redmond, executive director; Dale Ash, chair and treasurer; Terrence Breckenridge, co-chair; Nicole Jones and Alfredo Alivzo, board members.
Excellence in Capital Campaign
Excellence in Capital Campaign recognizes a Main Street Program for outstanding intense fundraising effort designed to raise a specific amount of money within a defined time period to build and organization’s assets and capacity.
Main Street Atmore received the Excellence in Capital Campaign award for the creation of a strategic plan using all the features through the Main Street Atmore Foundation. With grant writers, foundation members, fundraising event and political outreach, MSA board members, via the Foundation raised over $400,000 last year. Earmarks included $55,000 in personnel and $200,00 in community development. A total of $150,000 is available for façade grants and the Start M.O.R.E Entrepreneurship program, with the excess to be used for future projects. Additional in-kind donation totaled $25,000.
Excellence in Promotion
This award recognizes outstanding special events/activities that promote the Main Street district by creating a quality authentic event which generates traffic for the district.
Main Street Atmore (MSA) received the Excellence in Promotion award for the “Window Grinch Campaign.” On the morning of the 2023 Parade, 11 businesses on South Main Street were vandalized (23 windows, 9 doors, one sign, and a toy soldier). Main Street Atmore assessed the damage and declared the “Window Grinch Campaign” within an hour. They encouraged owners to cover the vandalized windows to look like gifts, and the Atmore Flower Shop decorated their remaining window with a Grinch theme. The entire community showed their support by rallying around the affected businesses, and MSA raised $13,000 to help with insurance deductibles and materials used to cover the damages.
Excellence in Marketing
This award recognizes outstanding efforts in overall marketing by a Main Street organization to promote the entire district as a destination or a branding or image development campaign.
Main Street Atmore received the Excellence in Marketing award for the initiative to establish an Arts and Entertainment District begun in June 2023 with the introduction of the Brand of Excellence Campaign to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown area and encourage social interaction utilized the brand provided by Main Street Alabama. The goal included attracting tourists, residents, and businesses, enhancing the downtown quality of life, fostering creativity and innovation in the community, and showcasing the rich cultural heritage. The A&E District is a way of nurturing trust and enthusiasm in the district. The primary marketing tool is the city lead tourism campaign with the local news station, FOX10.
Excellence in Business Development
This award provides recognition for outstanding efforts by a local Main Street organization to improve the business climate, support, strengthen, retain, and attract businesses in the district.
Main Street Atmore received the Excellence in Business Development award for the Rainy-Day fund that’s designed to assist owners in enhancing their business or building with no upfront cost. The 3-way initiative offers a grant for 50 percent of interior or exterior projects up to $7,000, an interest-free loan with a maximum of $3,500; and an emergency fund. The micro-loan and grants can be utilized for inventory, business equipment, wall repairs, interior renovations, and matching grants and emergency funds. By the end of the year, MSA will have distributed well over $50,000.
Reinvestment Award
This award recognizes Designated Main Street Alabama programs that have reached a major milestone in their district revitalization efforts. Economic impact numbers reported monthly by each local program were used in the calculation.
Main Street Atmore received the Reinvestment Award for over $5 million in reinvestment into the downtown district.