Press release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce:
North Carolina Main Street Champions will be recognized for their commitment to downtown revitalization and strong communities during a virtual recognition ceremony today.
“There are three keys to economic development success: public-private partnerships that share in the effort and jointly celebrate the successes of projects; economic development strategies that leverage local assets for authentic enhancements and improvements; and local champions that are leading the effort every step of the way,” said Kenny Flowers, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. “The Main Street program throughout the state, is the epitome of the implementation of these three key components of success.”
“N.C. Commerce and N.C. Main Street have been recognizing Main Street Champions for more than two decades. We know that the success of downtown districts is because of the people behind the effort, and each year, we recognize the visionary individuals that have a strong sense of commitment to their community. They develop projects that improve quality of life, grow cultural and recreational development, renovate historic properties and spur investment and create jobs and businesses,” said Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center.
Thirty-eight Main Street Champions will receive honors for contributions to their Main Street programs and downtown districts last year. Including the 2020 honorees, 804 Champions have been recognized since 2000.
The 2020 North Carolina Main Street Champions are:
Richard & Joyce Lambert – Albemarle
Ron Foulk – Belmont
Casey & Emily Lewis – Burlington
Kay Raynor – Clinton
Chris Abney – Concord
Julie Stanton – Eden
Kim & Annette Ringeisen – Edenton
Paul Robinson – Elizabeth City
Emily Sharpe – Elon
Travis Smith – Forest City
Anne Smith – Fuquay-Varina
Kimber Roche – Goldsboro
Michele Sparks – Hendersonville
Kevin Greer – Hickory (Posthumous)
John McGill – Kings Mountain
Raine Tyndall – Kinston
Chris English – Laurinburg
Jesse Plaster – Lenoir
Emily Causey – Marion
Hugh Sykes – Mooresville
Keri McCann – Morehead City
Sharon Jablonski – Morganton
Ted Ashby – Mount Airy
Catawba County Library Staff – Newton
Doug & Denise Morris – North Wilkesboro
David & Shernita Powell – Oxford
Jeff Garstka & Missy Matthews – Reidsville
Garland Clark – Rocky Mount
Zack Wynne & Kyle James – Roxboro
Jim Masek – Rutherfordton
Greg Shields – Salisbury
Faye Schultz – Sanford
David Teddy – Shelby
Florence Grant – Spruce Pine
Cindy Sutton – Statesville
Wake Forest Garden Club – Wake Forest
Waynesville Police Department Officers – Waynesville
Michael Jones – Wilson
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