SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street announced its 2022 “Excellence on Main” award winners during the annual Main Street conference on October 5th in Klamath Falls. Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns and traditional commercial neighborhoods across the state. A total of 12 projects, activities, and people were recognized – 4 of those based on nominations submitted by the Albany Downtown Association, the Lebanon Downtown Association, and the McMinnville Downtown Association. Videos of the award winners can be found here.

• Bricks and Mortar Award: The Natty Dresser, Albany

This award is designed to recognize building owners or projects that positively impact preservation efforts. The Bricks and Mortar Award winner for 2022 is the Natty Dresser in Albany. The owners of The Natty Dresser, Oscar and Tamalynne Hult, renovated the façade and interior of the 1912 SE Young & Son Department Store Building into an amazing destination-worthy home for their men’s clothing business and the new Tipsy Toad event space. This grand building has a storied history housing many different retailers. The transformation of the corner is dramatic in every aspect - visual, practical, financial, and safety.

• Volunteer of the Year: Hannah Darling, Albany

Main Streets are only as strong as their volunteers. No downtown can be successful without the dedication of those who give of themselves to help their community thrive. This year, Oregon Main Street recognized Hannah Darling from the Albany Downtown Association as Volunteer of the Year. Hannah began volunteering regularly over five years ago helping the Design Committee with hanging baskets. Soon she joined the Promotion Committee. Her dedication to Downtown Albany led to her to join the Albany Downtown Association's Board of Directors, originally serving as Secretary. Hannah currently leads the organization as the 2021-22 president.

• Open Door Award: Family Pride Day, Lebanon

The inaugural Open Door Award goes to a Main Street that has demonstrated a commitment to creating an environment that is welcoming and inviting to all through programs, outreach, or other efforts.  The 2022 Open Door award winner is Lebanon’s Family Pride Day. A Family Pride Day committee was formed and worked tirelessly to develop a vision for the event and culminating in a celebration of the diversity of family. Held at a downtown park, the event created belonging for individuals and families of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, grew youth leadership and involvement, and featured local speakers who shared personal stories about what Pride means to them.

• Board Member of the Year: Heather Miller, McMinnville

No Main Street program can succeed without the tireless work of dedicated Board Members. The 2022 Board Member of the Year is Heather Miller, president of the McMinnville Downtown Association. Prior to accepting her current position, she served on the MDA board as vice-president. She is a downtown business owner, serves on the board of multiple other organizations, and was named McMinnville’s Outstanding Junior Citizen in 2019. Heather assumed the MDA presidency position following a tumultuous year that saw the very foundation of the association challenged. Her leadership helped put MDA back on track through frugal fiscal management, community outreach, and response to membership concerns.

The wide range of Oregon Main Street’s Excellence on Main awards is reflective of the comprehensive Main Street Approach™ to downtown revitalization developed by the National Main Street Center. This model is used by the communities participating in the three-tier Main Street Track of Oregon Main Street Network. 

“In 2021, we saw how our Oregon Main Streets stepped up and helped their communities navigate through the challenges brought on by two years of economic downturn,” said Sheri Stuart, state coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “Through innovative projects, community centric programs, and renovations focused on historic preservation, main streets have improved their communities and enhanced their quality of life.”

Oregon Main Street strengthens community networks, bolsters local economies, generates tax revenues, and fosters social connections across the state. OMS leads a network of local Main Streets that oversee a wide range of programmatic efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents. The Oregon Main Street network generates significant value for local communities and for the State of Oregon overall. Learn more about the impact of the Oregon Main Street program by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.