FLORENCE-Main Street Alabama recently recognized community organizations practicing strong revitalization efforts across the state, and Florence Main Street was among those receiving accolades. Florence Main Street, which focuses its efforts on enhancing the economic and cultural vitality of downtown Florence, earned four Awards for Excellence for the programs and services it provides to downtown Florence and other nearby neighborhood business districts.
The awards were Excellence in Downtown Marketing for a marketing campaign showcasing downtown Florence businesses in No’Ala magazine, Excellence in Business Promotion for the social dining program Florence Foodies, Excellence in Planning and Public Spaces for the Mural Project. Florence Main Street also won the Community Award for its nomination of the City of Florence for it’s unwavering support during Florence Main Street’s 24 year history.
Lt. Governor Kay Ivey and Mary Helmer, President and State Coordinator of Main Street Alabama announced the winners of the Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence during the aLABama Downtown Laboratory conference held in Montgomery.
The aLABama Downtown Laboratory, a two-day conference, is a project of Main Street Alabama that bolsters the efforts of communities participating in the nationally acclaimed Main Street program or those communities interested in the revitalization program. The first annual event drew over 75 leaders from 25 communities across the state.
“It’s an honor to recognize these outstanding community projects, leaders and volunteers,” stated Helmer. “Today’s award winners represent the most
innovative downtown revitalization projects in our Main Street Alabama communities. The effort and leadership it takes to move these projects from concept through completion is tremendous and we are thrilled to acknowledge such achievements. We were especially honored to present these awards on Main Street Alabama Day (8/26), as proclaimed by Governor Bentley.”
Several Florence Main Street board members and community members who participated with the award winning projects attended the award luncheon. “We’re very happy the Main Street Alabama program is back up and running and providing services to the local community organizations” said Florence Main Street board president Shaler Roberts. “We’re very proud of our local Main Street program and the hard work that has been put in by our staff, both past and present, and the programs and services they provide to our community. We’ve laid a strong foundation for future growth and development of our wonderful downtown.”
MEDIA RELEASE/Teryl Shields/ Florence Main Street
