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Special to the Advance

Main Street Atmore received statewide recognition during the 10^th annual Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence banquet on Aug. 17 in Huntsville.

According to a release, Main Street Atmore received the Excellence in Fundraising, Celebrity Waiter; Excellence in Public/Private Partnership, American Legion Pollinator Garden; Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation, The Pride of Atmore Save the Strand project; Excellence in Business Development, Façade Incentive program; and Excellence in Reinvestment award, Over $1 million, not including the Strand project.

The Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and Alfa Companies sponsored the event. 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.

The Awards of Excellence program highlighted the tremendous impacts of these honorees in their respective areas, according to a release.

The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in the categories of Adaptive Reuse, Preservation, Historic Rehabilitation, Fundraising, Public/Private Partnerships, Business Development, Economic Impact, Promotion, Business Promotion, Marketing, Tourism, Volunteer Development, Placemaking, Design Development, Non-Historic Building Design, Reinvestment, and Planning and Public Space.

Additionally, David’s Catfish House was awarded the Atmore Hero award.

“Last night (Aug. 17), a celebration was held to recognize the achievements of various local Main Street programs,” Wirth said in a release. “Each community has been working tirelessly to improve, reinvigorate, and revitalize their downtown or district. The success stories shared at the event were truly inspiring, showcasing the dedication of businesses, organizations and individuals in making their communities the best they can be.”

The banquet is a highlight of LAB, a three-day annual conference that boosts the efforts of communities participating in the nationally acclaimed Main Street program or those communities interested in district revitalization. The 10th annual event drew over 150 community leaders from Alabama.

Main Street Alabama has 32 designated programs and 32 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, Opelika, Oxford, Scottsboro, South Huntsville, Russellville, Talladega, and Wetumpka each have designated programs. Communities interested in downtown revitalization can participate in Main Street Alabama’s Network.

Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization focusing 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.