Local Wisconsin Main Street Organizations Recognized at Annual Awards Ceremony
WEDC salutes volunteers and staff at 25th annual event in Marshfield
Marshfield, WI. April 11, 2016 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Friday recognized the best downtown revitalization projects of 2015 at the 25th Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center.
Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, was on hand to recognize the efforts by Main Street volunteers and staff for the historic preservation and downtown economic development efforts of communities in Wisconsin.
“In Wisconsin, we know the state’s economic success relies not only on thriving urban centers, but also on economic development in small and midsize communities in every region of the state,” Hogan said. “We work in partnership with communities to help them thrive and seize opportunities, and the Wisconsin Main Street Program is a prime example of this.”
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by WEDC that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to Wisconsin communities to revitalize their business districts based on historic preservation developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Wisconsin has 34 Main Street communities. Since 1987, the Wisconsin Main Street Program has worked with more than 60 communities, and has been responsible for the creation of an estimated 12,000 jobs and 2,300 new businesses.
During fiscal year 2015, the Wisconsin Main Street Program was responsible for the creation of an estimated 586 jobs and 115 new businesses in the state. The program generated $6.3 million in public investment, which was leveraged to draw $91 million in private investment. The program also renovated or reconstructed 350 buildings and held 526 events to get people to these revitalized districts, with a total attendance of more than 1.2 million people.
Entering its fourth year, the Connect Communities Program provides support and networking to more than 50 communities across the state pursuing downtown revitalization initiatives.
The awards presented Friday night were:
Best Volunteer Engagement
Winner: Rivertown Trails Coalition, Osceola
Best Upper Floor Rehabilitation Project
Winner: The Court Above Main, La Crosse
Best Storefront Display
Honorable Mention: Marilyn’s, Darlington
Winner: My Oh My Boutique, Marshfield
Best Special Event
Winner: Beloit International Film Festival 10th Anniversary Celebration
Best Retail Event
Winner: First Thursdays, Wausau River District
Best Public/Private Partnership in Downtown Revitalization
Winner: Coulee CoStarters Program, La Crosse County
Best Historic Restoration
Winner: Masonic Temple Restoration Project, Omro
Best Public Improvement
Winner: Downtown Mural Project, Kenosha
Best New Business
Winner: Cedar Street Market, Tigerton
Best Façade Rehabilitation
Winner: Theo’s 24 Restaurant, Fond du Lac
Best Business Development Program
Winner: Holiday Pop Up Shop Program, Marshfield
Best Cooperative Business Marketing Campaign
Honorable Mention: Business Decal and Token Program, Viroqua
Winner: Business Cluster Marketing Program, Ladysmith
Connect Communities Award: Best Downtown Development Success Story – Under 5,500 Population
Winner: Promoting Princeton Program, Princeton
Connect Communities Award: Best Downtown Development Success Story – Over 5,500 population
Winner: Levitt AMP Sheboygan Concert Music Series, Sheboygan
Best New Building
Winner: Lake Wind Building, Pewaukee
Best Creative Fundraising Effort
Honorable Mention: 2015 Walk Down Main, Platteville
Winner: Masonic Brick Art Gala, Omro
Best Interior Renovation Project – Under $50,000
Co-Winner: The Essence Authentic Living Boutique, Tomahawk
Co-Winner: 314: Ripon College Project Space, Ripon
Best Interior Renovation Project – Over $50,000
Winner: The Blodgett Haus, Marshfield
Best Image Item/Campaign/Event
Winner: Restaurant Week 2015, Kenosha
Best Adaptive Reuse Project
Winner: The Charmant Hotel, La Crosse
Milestone Main Street Anniversaries
10 Years
- Monroe Main Street
15 Years
- Community Improvement of Algoma
- Watertown Main Street
20 Years
- On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay
25 Years
- Main Street Marshfield
- Definitely De Pere
Executive Director Years of Service Awards
Five Years:
Teri Ouimette, Chippewa Falls
10 Years:
Suzi Osterday, Darlington
13 Years:
Elaine Kroening, Pewaukee
15 Years:
Michael Glime, Algoma
17 Years:
Virginia Kauffman, Tigerton
20 Years:
Kathy Wellsandt, Rice Lake
24 Years:
Craig Tebon, Ripon
2015 Volunteers of the Year
Meghan Moss, Beloit
Taylor Gabel, Darlington
Leo Metivier, Fond du Lac
Matt Bero, On Broadway – Green Bay
Bob Lichter, Kenosha
Will Kratt, La Crosse
Phil Ruege, Ladysmith
Hope Oostdik, Lake Mills
Rodney Feltz, Marshfield
Mike Jerge, Monroe
John & Melanie Steen, Omro
Ashley Rutledge, Osceola
Robin Kaufmann, Pewaukee
Julie Loeffelholz, Platteville
Pete Kolpack, Rice Lake
Melissa Geisthardt, Sheboygan Falls
Beverly Wudstrack, Tigerton
Jeanne Polanin, Tomahawk
Nathan Kronforst, Two Rivers
Howard Bryant, Waterford
Paula Voss, Wausau
Jacob Hoppe, West Allis
Blake Scharine, Whitewater
2015 Honorary Board Members
Betsy Schmiechen, Beloit
Carrie Shippy, Darlington
Byron Pegram, Fond du Lac
Mike Hall, On Broadway – Green Bay
Kevin Ervin, Kenosha
Scott Von Haden, Ladysmith
Pam Streich, Lake Mills
Lois TeStrake, Marshfield
Noreen Ruckert, Monroe
Nancy Beck, Osceola
Judge Missy Murray, Pewaukee
Mary Huck, Platteville
Sandy Robarge, Rice Lake
Dick Fotsch, Sheboygan Falls
Marv Moore, Two Rivers
Mary Beth Mikrut, Waterford
Dave Saalsaa, Whitewater
Wisconsin Main Street Hall of Fame Inductees
Debbie Bayee, Pewaukee
Phil Valitchka, Wausau
About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation by providing resources, technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation and international business development. Together with more than 600 regional and local business development partners, it represents a highly responsive and coordinated network. Visit www.InWisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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