Winners Announced for the Secretary of State’s 2018 Florida Main Street Awards

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today the winners of the 2018 Florida Main Street Awards. This annual awards program showcases the innovative practices and projects that make each historic community successful. Two award categories were presented including the Honor Awards, which highlight the very “best of the best” Main Street communities, and the Merit Awards, which recognize outstanding examples of redevelopment and leadership.

“I am proud to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the Main Street organizations, team members, local governments and associates that help make the Florida Main Street program so effective,” said Secretary Detzner. “Their dedication to Main Street programs across the state is essential to the historic preservation and economic revitalization of Florida’s downtowns.”

Twenty honor and merit awards were presented on Tuesday, August 1, 2018 at the Florida Main Street Annual Conference in Vero Beach. This year’s award recipients are:

Outstanding Florida Main Street Local Program Supporter

Honor Award: Julie Preast, Stuart Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Tina Murray, Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street, Inc., and Sandy Harbin, Main Street Bartow, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Fundraising Development Effort

Honor Award: Annual Leesburg Spring Fish Fry, Leesburg Partnership, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Public/Private Partnership

Honor Award: Downtown Business Association of Stuart, Martin County Office of Tourism and Marketing and Stuart Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Beautifying Park Street, Okeechobee Main Street, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Rehabilitation Project

Honor Award: Ivy on the Square, Ocala Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Galleria of Pierce Harbor, Main Street Fort Pierce, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Public Improvement 

Honor Award: Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Downtown Pedestrian Crossing, Ormond Main Street, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Sign/Display Project

Honor Award: Brooksville CRA Signage & Wayfinding Project, Brooksville Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Downtown Street Banner Project, Okeechobee Main Street, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street New Construction Project

Honor Award: Post & Vine infill lot, Main Street Vero Beach, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Special Event

Honor Award: SYFY Bartow, Main Street Bartow, Inc.

Merit Award: Parade of Nations Horse Celebration, Ocala Main Street, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Image Campaign or Promotional Materials

Honor Award: Okeechobee Main Street Image Rebranding, Okeechobee Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Downtown Restaurant Guide, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Retail Sales Promotion

Honor Award: ABC Printing Raffle Promotion, Main Street Vero Beach, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Economic Vitality Project 

Honor Award: “Investing in Our Future” Main Street Office Modernization, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc.

 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Business of the Year 

Honor Award: American Icon Brewery, developer Michael Rechter, Vero Beach

For more information on the Florida Main Street program visit floridamainstreet.com or facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 49 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.