ATHENS, Ala. – On August 15, 2024, Main Street Alabama held its eleventh annual Awards of Excellence Banquet at the Community House in Monroeville to celebrate the successes of local programs. The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and the University of West Alabama Division of Economic Development and Workforce Development sponsored the event. Main Street Alabama’s President and State Coordinator, Mary Helmer Wirth, and Assistant State Coordinator, Trisha Black, recognized projects and individuals who significantly contributed to their communities. The Awards of Excellence program highlighted these honorees’ tremendous impacts in their respective areas.
The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in Capital Campaigns, Public/Private Partnerships, Volunteer Development, Promotion, Marketing, Business Promotion, Business Development, placemaking, Property Activation, Non-Historic Building Design, Planning and Public Spaces, and Historic Rehabilitation.
“We are thrilled to be honored for our organization’s contributions to the growth and vibrancy of our downtown,” said Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson. “Thank you to the City of Athens, the Limestone County Commission, and all our business and individual donors who have supported our efforts.”
Excellence in Business Development—This award recognizes outstanding efforts by a local Main Street organization to improve the business climate and support, strengthen, retain, and attract businesses in the district.
- Restaurant Boom – In 2019, the Athens Main Street Board designated adding more restaurants downtown as its top priority. This goal aligned with the City of Athens 2040 Comprehensive Master Plan, Main Street Alabama’s Board Refresh Research, and Real Estate Redevelopment findings, all identifying a significant leakage of restaurant business to surrounding counties. After four years of efforts to improve the business environment, the downtown has seen the opening of five independent upscale restaurants since October 2023.
Excellence in Promotion—This award recognizes outstanding special events that promote the Main Street district by creating a quality, authentic event that generates traffic for the district.
- Fridays After Five 2.0 – Fridays After Five takes place outside the Limestone County Courthouse in the heart of Athens’ Main Street District. This event draws over 4,000 attendees to enjoy free live entertainment, extended shopping hours, and delicious food from local restaurants and food trucks on the last Friday of April, May, June, and July.
Excellence in Fundraising – This award recognizes a Main Street Program for outstanding local fundraising activity, displaying creativity and success in securing funds for the district program or specific project.
- Investor Recognition – Athens Main Street wanted to increase the visibility of supporters and encourage others to become supporters, increase fundraising dollars, and promote business at the same time. The program has seen a 100% increase in business investors and a 30% increase in stakeholders.
Excellence in Building Design – This award recognizes completed design projects, including facade and/or interior renovation efforts and infill construction.
- Old Black Bear Brewing Company decided to expand its brewing operation and open a second location in Athens, the first for the community. They purchased an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse off the downtown square and hired a local architecture firm, AMBL Studios, to solidify their dreams for the space.
Reinvestment Award—This award was given in recognition of Main Street Alabama programs that have reached significant milestones in their district revitalization efforts. Economic impact numbers reported monthly by each local program were used to calculate this recognition. Athens Main Street’s district reinvestment of over $40 million was recognized.
Local Main Street programs also selected a Main Street Hero, who honored an individual, business, or organization that made an outstanding contribution to their program. The Hero was recognized at the Toast to Heroes Reception sponsored by Regions Bank before the awards banquet. Athens Main Street selected Tiffany Pack, owner of Dream Key Real Estate, as the 2024 Main Street Hero.
Athens Main Street Promotion Committee Chair Michelle Williamson said, “In addition to contributing her time and considerable marketing talent as a Promotion Committee member, Tiffany and Dream Key Real Estate sponsored several of our events, making it possible to promote our retailers widely and uniquely feature our restaurants.”
“Last night’s event was a heartwarming celebration of the remarkable achievements of our local Main Street programs,” said Wirth. “The inspiring success stories shared at the event truly highlighted the essence of community spirit and collaboration. It’s a testament to the effectiveness of Main Street’s Four-Point Approach in fostering economic development and preserving historic areas.”
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Main Street Alabama has 33 Designated Programs and 29 Network Communities. Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Atmore, Birmingham’s Historic 4th Ave Business District, Birmingham’s Woodlawn District, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Decatur, Demopolis, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Florence, Foley, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, LaFayette, Leeds, Marion, Monroeville, Montevallo, Montgomery, Opelika, Oxford, Scottsboro, South Huntsville, Russellville, Talladega, and Wetumpka each have Designated Programs.
Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing jobs, dollars, and people back to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of our efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
