Area Main Street Programs Win State Awards

2014_MMSA_Award_WinnersJACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) celebrated achievements of Mississippi Main Street Communities at the 25th Annual Awards Luncheon in downtown Jackson.
Main Street programs from Aberdeen, Amory, New Albany, Pontotoc, Starkville, Tupelo and New Albany were among the award winners.
Sponsors of this year’s awards ceremony are Mississippi Development Authority, Renasant Bank, Neel-Schaffer, Belinda Stewart Architects, P.A. and Yalobusha Brewing Co.
The presentation of awards was made by MMSA Executive Director Bob Wilson and 2014-2015 Board President Mark Loughman.
The annual awards luncheon honors Main Street managers, board members and volunteers and recognizes the best downtown development projects from Main Street communities in Mississippi.
“This year’s award winners reflect the commitment of many individuals and groups who champion what Main Street is all about – developing the heart of our communities, our historic downtowns, and enhancing quality of life for everyone,” Wilson said.
Since 1993, MMSA, a program of the Mississippi Development Authority, has generated more than $4.5 billion in private and public investment (including more than $1.1 billion in public investment).
In just the past year, Mississippi Main Street programs generated 249 net new businesses, 72 business expansions, 1,228 net new jobs, 94 façade rehabilitations and 248 upper floor housing units. More than 55,297 volunteer hours were recorded.
MMSA has 51 designated Main Street Communities throughout the state as well as five Downtown Networks and several Association Members.
MMSA is a member of the National Main Street Center, Inc., a non-profit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For the past 33 years, the Main Street Four Point Approach® has been used successfully in approximately 2,000 communities, producing $54 billion in investment, creating 450,000 jobs and resulting in the rehabilitation of more than 229,000 buildings.