AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Main Street Innovation

The Main Street model has always been a flexible and creative program. Main Street
staff and volunteers come from many different backgrounds that create a fertile
environment for innovation. This award recognizes a new or innovative program that
was implemented since January, 2023 to help realize your Main Street vision. This could
be for finding new ways to support local businesses, promote your downtown, activate
vacant space, or preserve the historic character of the Main Street.

Examples: Using technology to promote visiting the district, turning unused or
impractical space into a pocket park, supporting local businesses through financial
stress with trainings on how to increase sales through merchandizing, social media, or
other means.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

The nomination is for a program or policy that was new to the community in the last
year, uses the unique aspects of the community and/or its volunteers to have a positive
impact on the Main Street, and is an example of new and creative thinking within the
Main Street model.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Nominated program or policy contributes toward achieving district goals and
  assisting with activities.
• Uniqueness and creativity of the program that addresses a pressing need or new
  opportunity for the Main Street.
• Positive impact that can be measured.

AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Power in our Places

Every downtown has places that make it special and unique: From historic
landmarks/buildings to trails and green spaces, to public gathering spaces and other
space important to your Main Street. Main Street Arkansas’ historic commercial
districts are defined by places with unique characteristics. This award recognizes an
outstanding historic preservation effort or placemaking project or initiative that has
had a significant impact to the downtown in the last year.

Examples: Historic building(s) rehabilitation, major streetscape enhancements, road
diet implementation, public space creation, preservation plan and/or ordinance, public
art program, or other project that improved the placemaking and uniqueness of your
Main Street.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• The project can be publicly developed or a combination of private and public partnerships.
• The project must be accessible or visible to the public.
• Action can target areas, districts and/or properties.
• Action can be a single initiative or a series taken over time.
• Action must support high standards of preservation, restoration and design.
  

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's strategies and goals.
• Broad-based involvement and support in the development of the project.
• Quality and innovation of final design.
• Accessibility by the public.
• Measurable results or impact upon the district.

AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Campaign for Main Street

This award recognizes an outstanding special event, image campaign, or public
relations campaign that has had a significant impact on your Main Street since
January, 2023. Getting people downtown to shop, eat and drink, have fun, explore, and
live is a goal of all Main Street organizations. Promoting what makes your community
unique and special is a major part of this.

Examples: Special events, websites or social media programs, and advertising
campaigns to promote your downtown as a special destination.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Project can be publicly-developed or a combination of private and public partnership
• Project can be a reoccurring activity or one-time event
• Project may be an event, image campaign, website/mobile app, promotional piece
  

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's strategies and goals
• Broad-based involvement and support in the development of the project
• Collaboration and innovative partnerships
• Measurable outcomes leading to positive change

AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Transforming the Economy

The Main Street approach is one of the leading Economic Development tools for
downtowns throughout the U.S. A strong local economy is the goal of every program in
Arkansas, but what represents Economic Vitality in each Main Street can vary greatly.
This award recognizes the biggest development or best program leading to the
transformation of your local economy. This award is not an apples-to-apples
comparison, think specifically about your Main Street program, the downtown and
what has moved the needle in a positive direction to your local economy over the last
year, supported through market data.

Examples: New anchor business that increased employment and/or foot traffic, a new
or existing business filling a market demand, infill development that improved the
business mix and/or perception and sense of place of the Main Street and led to
increased economic activity.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Project can be publicly-developed, privately-developed, or a combination.
• Project must contribute to strengthening the district's economic vitality.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's long-term strategy and transformative goals.
• Broad-based involvement and support in the development of the project.
• Collaboration and innovation.
• Degree the project transformed the economic vitality of the district.
• Measurable results or impact upon the district.

AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Doing Business on Main Street

Business retention and attraction are at the heart of economic development in the Main
Street approach. A strong local economy is built on the success of our local businesses.
This award recognizes the best program or effort that supported existing businesses or
attracted new ones to your Main Street.

Examples: Business training programs on topics like merchandising, online sales, or
placemaking, Downtown Dollar programs that encouraged shop local efforts, new
permitting processes that made it easier for a business to locate or expand, or financial
incentives such as façade and signage grants.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Project can be public or private initiative.
• Project must contribute to strengthening the district's economic vitality.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's long-term strategy and transformative goals.
• Broad-based involvement and support in the development of the project.
• Collaboration and innovation.
• Degree the project transformed the economic vitality of the district.
• Measurable results or impact upon the district.

AWARD FOR DESIGNATED PROGRAMS

Sustainable Main Street

Sustainability has always been the heart of the Main Street movement. Historic
Preservation and Environmental Stewardship have some of the biggest economic and
social impacts on our downtowns. Finding creative ways to re-develop underutilized or
vacant spaces creates new opportunities for business growth, housing, or recreation in
the Main Streets. Or improving waste recycling or lowering water and energy uses can
save the municipality, businesses, and residences expense and time.

Examples: Obsolete property redevelopment, public space improvements,
environmental impact studies and programs, transit/transportation programs, or
historic preservation efforts.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Project can be publicly-developed, privately-developed, or a combination.
• Project must contribute to the overall sustainability of the Main Street, both
  physically and economically.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's long-term strategy and transformative goals.
• Broad-based involvement and support in the development of the project.
• Collaboration and innovation.
• Measurable results or impact upon the district.

AWARD FOR ASSOCIATE AND DOWNTOWN NETWORKS

Program on the Rise

This award is to acknowledge our Associate and Downtown Network programs. The
Main Street model is meant to grow with an organization, building capacity and
creating opportunities to fully realize their Vision for Main Street. Using the Main
Street Four-Point Approach® (Promotion, Organization, Design, and Economic Vitality),
our programs are working towards achieving a specific vision for each unique
community. Program on the Rise is awarded to communities that demonstrate a
commitment to the Main Street method and have moved one step closer to become a
Designated Main Street Program.

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

• Effort/project/program should demonstrate growth and progression using the Main
  Street Approach®.
• Effort/project/program can involve one or more of the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization for the award nomination.
• Effort/project/program can be public, private or partnership.
  

JUDGING CRITERIA

• Relevance to the district's strategies and goals.
• Understanding of the Main Street Approach™.
• Defined purpose and measurable outcomes.
• Volunteer, public and/or private sector engagement.
• Impact on establishing an ongoing Main Street program.