2010 Main Street Leadership Awards Recognize Programs in Michigan and Washington

National Trust for Historic Preservation Honors MSHDA's Leadership Excellence in Commercial Revitalization

WASHINGTON, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced the winners of the 2010 Main Street Leadership Awards, honoring the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA and the Washington State Main Street Coalition. This award, presented May 5 at the Main Street Awards Ceremony during the National Main Streets Conference in Oklahoma City, recognizes creative approaches to commercial district revitalization challenges.

Each year the National Trust Main Street Center recognizes individuals or organizations that have provided strong leadership, locally or nationally, in the following ways:

• Significant, lasting contributions made to commercial district revitalization;
• Inspiring actions that can be duplicated in other communities;
• Ability to serve as a national role model or spokesperson; and
• Long-term contributions to a community's revitalization over time.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), which houses the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA, earned the award for its leadership in developing a national "Buy Main Street" video campaign that raised awareness for the economic benefits of buying locally. Co-branded with the National Trust Main Street Center, the campaign gained momentum through television spots, e-mails and social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. The push educated the public and gave them an outlet to express their support for local businesses that are keeping America's downtowns viable and vibrant. Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA worked with marketing firm Pace & Partners to produce an upbeat video for its local programs, and with donated pro bono time from Pace, developed a national version for anyone to use.

"The Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA is a true partner and leader of the Main Street movement. Its 'Buy Main Street' video captures the spirit behind what makes America's historic and traditional commercial districts great," said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. "Viewers immediately see that supporting the small businesses of Main Streets is not only important to the local economy but also in keeping their own Main Streets vibrant."

The Washington State Main Street Coalition, a team of local revitalization program managers across the state, unified during the week between Christmas and New Year's to act quickly and decisively to save the state's Main Street program from a zeroed-out state budget. Local advocates' strategic and swift efforts, including the creation of a network of 850 Facebook supporters, proved successful when the Main Street Bill passed the House in February and the Senate on March 2. Ellensburg Main Street Manager Timothy Bishop accepted the award on behalf of the coalition, which was recognized for its innovative and effective use of social media in its grassroots advocacy plan.

The 2010 Main Street Leadership Awards are sponsored by Chesapeake Energy. The Oklahoma City-based company has long been in the forefront of promoting increased use of clean-burning, abundant and domestic natural gas.

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center® helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,200 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 29 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $44.9 billion in new public and private investment.  Participating communities have created 370,514 net new jobs and 82,909 net new businesses and rehabilitated more than 199,500 buildings, leveraging an average of $25.36 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts. To learn about previous GAMSA winners, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is dedicated to building a thriving and vibrant future for Michigan. MSHDA provides tools and resources to improve people's lives through programs across the state. These programs assist with housing, build strong neighborhoods, and help create places where people want to live and work. MSHDA's programs work in four areas: affordable rental housing; supporting homeownership; ending homelessness; and creating vibrant cities and neighborhoods. For further information on this or other MSHDA programs, go to www.michigan.gov/mshda.*

*MSHDA's loan and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs.

SOURCE Michigan State Housing Development Authority

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