GOLDSBORO — Salisbury was recognized as one of 12 communities that received awards for excellence in downtown revitalization during the annual North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony held in Goldsboro earlier this week.

Salisbury received an award for best adaptive reuse project for the Salisbury Building as part of the economic vitality category.

N.C. Department of Commerce Chief Deputy Secretary Jordan Whichard, Assistant Secretary of Rural Development Kenny Flowers, and Director of the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center Liz Parham presented awards that category and in design, organization and promotion.

“An extraordinary amount of planning, coordination and hard work went into bringing these award-winning projects to fruition,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “I extend my most sincere gratitude to the Main Street staff and local leaders who carry these projects. Thanks to their efforts, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $5.2 billion in public and private investment over the last four decades.”

“This year’s projects include significant historic rehabilitations, healthy community initiatives, high quality façade renovations, pedestrian-centric outdoor innovations and so much more,” added Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development Kenny Flowers. “Our award winners are truly leaders in downtown revitalization, and their projects emphasize the impact North Carolina Main Street communities have on our state’s economic development.”

The North Carolina Main Street & Rural Planning Center works in regions, counties, cities, towns, downtown districts and designated North Carolina Main Street communities to inspire placemaking through building asset-based economic development strategies that achieve measurable results in investment, business growth and jobs.

A panel of judges chose this year’s award winners from 31 nominations submitted by 19 Main Street communities statewide.

The following projects received 2023 Awards of Merit:

Design:

Best facade rehabilitation project for less than $15,000

• Elkin -The Frazier Building

Best facade rehabilitation project for more than $15,000

• Manteo – The Pioneer Theater

Best historic rehabilitation project

• Elkin – The Royall’s Building
• Mount Airy – Former Coca-Cola Building

Best outdoor space improvement

• Elkin – Elkin RailYard
• Pittsboro – The SoCo Patio
• Reidsville – Sky’s the Limit All Inclusive Park

Organization:

Best healthy communities’ initiative

• Manteo – Manteo Downtown Market
• Waxhaw – Downtown Pedestrian Improvements

Promotion:

Best downtown special event or event series

• Goldsboro – NC Freedom Fest
• Pilot Mountain – Pilot Mountain Outdoor Adventure Festival & Expo

Economic vitality:

Best adaptive reuse project

• Asheboro – The Church Street Lofts
• Statesville – Jenkins Building

Best endangered properties rescue effort

• Goldsboro – The View at Wayne National

Best upper floor redevelopment

• Edenton – 415 S. Broad Street

“Since 2000, the N.C. Department of Commerce has recognized 460 downtown revitalization projects,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center. “Each project represents an investment in small and medium-sized communities, both in their economic development and the realization of their full potential.”

To learn more about the N.C. Main Street Awards and to see previous winners, go to the NC Main Street Conference website.