Winners Announced for the Secretary of State’s 2019 Florida Main Street Awards

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced today the winners of the 2019 Florida Main Street Awards. The annual awards program showcases the innovative practices and projects that contribute to the success of local Main Street programs. 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 impactful,” said Secretary Lee. “Their commitment to economic development and historic preservation has been essential to the revitalization of Florida’s historic downtowns.”

Representatives from the Eau Gallie Art District Main Street (EGAD Main Street) at the Florida Main Street Awards

Twenty-six honor and merit awards were presented on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at the Florida Main Street Annual Conference in Orlando’s Church Street District.

The winners of the 2019 Florida Main Street Awards are:

Outstanding Florida Main Street Local Program Supporter

Honor Award: Bob Jeffrey, Grand Central District Association

Merit Award: Bridgette Waldau, Okeechobee Main Street, Inc.; Melissa Reed, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc.; and Verdi Eco School, Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Fundraising Development Effort

Honor Award: Mardi Gras, Leesburg Partnership, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Public/Private Partnership

Honor Award: Main Street Milton and City of Milton Partnership, Main Street Milton, Inc. 

Merit Award: West Volusia Tourism Ad Authority, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Rehabilitation Project

Honor Award: Hotel DeFuniak, Main Street DeFuniak Springs, Inc.

Merit Award: Ginter Building, Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Public Improvement 

Honor Award: Downtown Beautification Project, Venice MainStreet, Inc., and Georgia Avenue Improvement, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc.

Merit Award: New York Avenue Improvement, St. Cloud Main Street, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Sign/Display Project

Honor Award: Main Street Member Board Signs, Main Street Bartow, Inc.

Merit Award: Welcome Mural, St. Cloud Main Street, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Special Event

Honor Award: Lunar New Year Festival, Mills 50 (Orlando)

Merit Award: Vilano Music Fest, Vilano Beach Main Street, Inc., and Downtown Scout Club, Main Street Wauchula, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Image Campaign or Promotional Materials

Honor Award: “PSST” Campaign, Stuart Main Street, Inc., and Cattle Drive Sculpture Campaign, Okeechobee Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Brand Development Project, Main Street DeFuniak Springs, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Retail Sales Promotion

Honor Award: Shop Small Saturday Brunch and Pop Up Shop, Main Street Wauchula, Inc. 

Outstanding Florida Main Street Economic Vitality Project 

Honor Award: Commercial Real Estate Grants Program, Greater New Port Richey Main Street, Inc.

Merit Award: Economic Vitality Committee, MainStreet DeLand Association, Inc., and Business Improvement Program, Main Street Milton, Inc.

Outstanding Florida Main Street Business of the Year 

Honor Award: Grassroots Kava, EDGE District of St. Petersburg

Merit Award:  Brews ‘N’ Blues, St. Cloud Main Street

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 46 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.