• Main Street Awards Nomination Form

  • Best Building / Business Branding

    This award recognizes the best business branding expressed through the exterior of the building. A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or other feature that distinguishes one business or service from those of others. Brand is synonymous with “identity.” Eligible projects include signage of all kinds, including new and refurbished historic signs or ghost signs. In addition to signage, well branded buildings may integrate color and patterns though interesting materials, paint, lighting, awnings and other creative devices to relay the identity of the business or property. 

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Briefly explain the business’ brand. Additional images of the logo and/or other marketing materials may be inserted with photos.  
    2. What type and design of the improvements (signage and/or other materials) are used to convey the business’ brand? 
    3. Briefly describe how the improvements contribute to the appearance of Main Street. 
    4. How was the local Main Street program involved? 
    5. Briefly note any local sign/design guidelines (if applicable) that were met. 

  • Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000

    This award recognizes a quality façade rehabilitation project costing $10,000 or more. The project should enhance the commercial district in appearance and/or function and encourage further design improvements.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Provide a brief summary of the project.
    2. What was the total cost of the project? (Owner investment – Incentives = Total Cost)
    3. Describe what incentives were used (local, state, federal, volunteer hours, etc.)
    4. Describe how this project fits in with the overall Main Street revitalization efforts.
    5. Describe in detail, to what extent the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation were followed.

  • Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000

    This award recognizes a quality façade rehabilitation project costing $10,000 or less. The project should enhance the commercial district in appearance and/or function and encourage further design improvements.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Provide a brief summary of the project.
    2. What was the total cost of the project? (Owner investment – Incentives = Total Cost)
    3. Describe what incentives were used (local, state, federal, volunteer hours, etc.)
    4. Describe how this project fits in with the overall Main Street revitalization efforts.
    5. Describe in detail, to what extent the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation were followed.

  • Best Interior Design Project

    This award will recognize a quality interior design project. The physical design of the project should be sensitive to the building, should enhance the commercial district in appearance or function, and should encourage or be a good model for furthering interior design improvements.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Provide a brief summary of the project.
    2. What was the total cost of the project?
    3. Please note any special historic architectural details that are part of the space and how they were incorporated into the overall design.
    4. Describe any creative design approaches implemented for this project.
    5. Were there any special design considerations for meeting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements?

  • Best Placemaking Project

    Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well-being. This award will honor those who have implemented attractive and sympathetic improvements for a public area in the historic district. Improvements must be within the Main Street area. Projects can be any scale small-to-large, and may be public or privately funded.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Provide a brief summary of the project, including scope of work and implementation.
    2. What was the total cost of the project?
    3. Briefly explain the key groups / individuals involved in the project and their respective roles (e.g. design professionals, city leadership, other organizations, etc.).
    4. Describe how this project fits in with the overall Main Street revitalization efforts.
    5. Describe any post-project evaluation including any lessons learned and planned maintenance.

  • Best Visual Merchandising

    This award recognizes quality visual merchandising in the Main Street area. Nominations should take into account a business’ overall strategy for merchandising, from the front door to the cash register. The display of goods/services should highlight their features/benefits, while creatively marketing them to the customer. The nomination can focus on one aspect or overall merchandising strategy.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Provide a brief summary of the project, and note whether this is a one-time or series of displays.
    2. What types of visual merchandizing does the project utilize (e.g. window display, interior layout, interior displays, etc.)?
    3. Describe anything creative or unique about the visual merchandizing design.
    4. How does the visual merchandizing add to the overall appearance or function of the business and/or the Main Street area?
    5. Did the project increase sales or customer traffic? If so, please explain.

  • Best Adaptive Reuse Project

    The nomination should address the economic impact of how a historic building has been returned to productive use (including adapting it to a new use) while holding architectural integrity. To be nominated, the building must be at least 50 years old, located in the Main Street area and have a project completion date between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe the building’s historic significance to the community.
    2. Discuss how the building and uses of the building have changed over time.
    3. Describe how the local Main Street Program was involved in the adaptive reuse project?
    4. Explain how the adaptive reuse of the building has impacted the historic commercial district.
    5. How was the project promoted and what has been the community’s reaction to the reuse project?

  • Best Business Practices

    The nomination should address how the company’s practices distinguish the firm from other organizations. To be nominated, the business must be located in the Main Street district and conducting operations between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Discuss how the company promotes itself.
    2. Explain how the company “engages” its employees to effectively promote the business.
    3. Describe the customer services available from this business and how they are delivered including new ways to satisfy customers.
    4. Tell us about the company management & how the business is received by customers.
    5. How do the company’s business practices affect neighboring businesses?

  • Best New Business

    The nomination should address the commercial impact made by a new business to your Main Street district. To be nominated, a “new” business must be at least one year old but no older than three years at the end of December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe how the new business has improved the property value of the Main Street district.
    2. How has the new business benefited other companies in your historic area?
    3. How has the new company embraced the Main Street process of economic development?
    4. Tell us how the new business will make a stronger commercial area.
    5. How does the company increase its access to customers?

  • Business of the Year

    The nomination should address why this company represents the best commercial experience in your historic area. To be nominated, the business must be at least three years old by the end of December 2020

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe how this business is involved in the local Main Street program.
    2. How has the business owner demonstrated support for Main Street’s 4 point approach?
    3. How has this business made an impact on historic preservation efforts?
    4. What distinguishes this business from the other companies in your historic area?
    5. Describe the nominee’s business performance in terms of serving the community.

  • Best Main Street Community Education/Public Awareness Activity

    The award recognizes excellence in communication by a Main Street Program. A program can inform the community about Main Street in various forms, such as educational programs and public awareness campaigns to help share the Main Street story. Newsletters, public forums websites and social media are eligible in this category. To be nominated, the activity must have taken place between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. List the objectives and organization of this activity
    2. Describe the activities: education, communication, public awareness, etc.
    3. What made this activity a success?
    4. Describe any special features of the activity.
    5. Will the activity continue, will it be improved, and how will it be improved?

  • Best Creative Fundraising Effort

    This award will be granted to the Main Street organization that has displayed the most creativity and success in securing funds for its local program or a specific project. List your target and how much money was actually raised. To be nominated, the effort must have taken place between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe the effort/event and how much money was raised.
    2. Describe how the additional funds will be used.
    3. What were the predetermined goals for success?
    4. Describe how volunteers participated in the actual process/event/campaign.
    5. Will the activity be continued, will it be improved, and how will it be improved?

  • Best Volunteer Development Program

    This award will be granted to the Main Street Program that has demonstrated a successful volunteer development program, including youth programs. This nomination is for developing and managing a volunteer recruitment, training, placement and recognition program. To be nominated, the activity must have taken place between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. List the objectives of this program.
    2. Describe the volunteer development process and the associated activities.
    3. Describe the impact of local revitalization efforts. Example: number of new volunteers, number of volunteer hours, etc.
    4. Describe how you will maintain and improve this program for the future.
    5. What cross-section of the community are involved? Example: youth, senior citizens, business owners, etc.

  • Main Street Hero

    This award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual toward the revitalization of a downtown or neighborhood commercial district. To be nominated, the involvement must have taken place between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. How were creative approaches to revitalization challenges demonstrated?
    2. How was strong leadership at the local, state or national level demonstrated?
    3. Do this individual’s actions leave a significant, lasting impact?
    4. How did the individual work with the local Main Street Program to achieve success?
    5. Will the relationship be continued and if so, how?

  • Premier Partner 

    The award recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual, business or organization partnering with the local Main Street organization toward the work of the local program. To be nominated, the effort must have taken place between January 2018 and December 2019.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe how the Partner and Main Street worked together on a particular project or an on-going basis.
    2. Describe the Partner’s impact on local revitalization efforts.
    3. Explain how the partnership demonstrates long-term benefits to the community.
    4. Describe Main Street’s efforts to highlight/reward/recognize the Partner’s efforts.
    5. Will the partnership continue, will it be improved, and how will it be improved?

  • Creative New Event

    This award is for a first-time event, a never before activity that was well received by the community and could move to permanent status. To be nominated, this event must have taken place between January 2019 and December 2020.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe the first time event and its unique aspects.
    2. Describe the purpose of the event and any factor contributing to its inception.
    3. Describe your volunteer base-how many people, the cross-section of the community, first-time volunteers, etc.
    4. Provide an account of income and expenses covering sponsorships and in-kind donations.
    5. Describe your post-event evaluation process and event summary. What changes would you make as a result of the evaluation and summary?

  • Outstanding Image Promotion

    This award will recognize the Main Street organization that has developed the best effective public relations piece, promotional campaign or social media promotion. Projects may include printed publications, graphic images, products, signage (directional/billboards), websites, e-newsletters, social media tactics. It may also include image ad campaigns or image events such as a display.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe what image the Main Street Organization HAD and why marketing was needed.
    2. Describe what makes the(se) marketing tool(s) special to your community and how each was used/distributed.
    3. Provide an account of income and expenses including compensation, sponsorships, or partnerships.
    4. Describe how this image booster fits in with the overall promotion strategy.
    5. Describe the continuity of the theme through graphics, color, font, image, and style.

  • Premier Special Event -- Over 1,000 attendees

    This award will recognize the Main Street organization that has created a high-quality event that is unique to your community or district, generating traffic for businesses in the historic area. This activity must be a Main Street event, with OVER 1,000 attendees, including festivals or other kinds of special events not related to image or retail oriented events.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe the event and list the activities offered during the event. When was the event and how many people attended? Compare to the prior year, if applicable.
    2. Describe the purpose of the event and identify the targeted audience. Did you fulfill your purpose and attract the people you wanted to attract?
    3. Describe the publicity this event received through the media and also how you marketed this event outside of the media. Include any unusual or special publicity received. Describe how this event fits in with the overall promotion strategy.
    4. Provide an account of income and expenses including comps and sponsorships.
    5. Describe your post event evaluation process and event summary. How is this information used to improve your event.

  • Premier Special Event -- Under 1,000 attendees

    This award will recognize the Main Street organization that has created a high-quality event unique to your community or district, generating traffic for businesses in the historic area. This activity must be a Main Street event, with UNDER 1,000 attendees, including festivals or other kinds of special events not related to image or retail oriented events.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe the event and list the activities offered during the event. When was the event and how many people attended? Compare to prior year, if applicable.
    2. Describe the purpose of the event and identify the targeted audience. Did you fulfill your purpose and attract the people you wanted to attract?
    3. Describe the publicity this event received through the media and also how you marketed this event outside of the media. Include any unusual or special publicity received. Describe how this event fits in with the overall promotion strategy.
    4. Provide an account of income and expenses including comps and sponsorships.
    5. Describe your post event evaluation process and event summary. How is this information used to improve your event.

  • Best Retail Event

    This award will recognize the Main Street organization that has developed the best effective retail event in conjunction with Main Street merchants. This activity must be a Main Street event and could be a sales-related event, special retail advertising campaign, or non sales related-event.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe this retail event and any unique activities that were offered.
    2. Describe how you met your objective(s), such as with the number or type of businesses, participants or the niche marketing group that participated.
    3. Provide an account of income and expenses including comps and sponsorships.
    4. Describe how the event was promoted and if merchants were involved in promotions activities. Describe the roles of the merchants before, during, and after the event.
    5. Describe how you measured the event in order to track retail sales.

  • Board Member of the Year

    To recognize the enormous commitment of Main Street volunteers, one board member from each official Main Street program will be honored. Local programs should choose this individual and submit a description on the Board Member of the Year nomination form. The individual must have been active in a Main Street organization over the past year and made exceptional commitments of time and energy to commercial revitalization during the past calendar year.

    DISCUSSION POINTS

    1. Describe how the nominee has demonstrated leadership or exemplary service in the Main Street organization.
    2. Give examples of how the nominee has promoted Main Street ideals locally, statewide or nationally.
    3. Describe the nominee’s role in the Main Street program and their relationship to the historic area: merchant, interested citizen, city employee, etc.
    4. Share other relevant information that will help describe the nominee.
  • 0/1000

  • File Upload Instructions

    See the application instructions for the category you are applying for.

    Your file names must include your program name, the category of entry and a number, each separated by a hyphen (dash).

    “Ada Main Street-Premier Partner-1"

    Use the Attachment Description text boxes below to provide captions that correspond to each photo as numbered. Example: Write the caption for a file named “Woodward Main Street-Best Building-4.jpg" in the text box labeled “Attachment 4 Description.”

  • Browse Files
    Cancel of
  • Clear
  • Should be Empty: