3/1/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the doubling of funding for the annual Main Street West Virginia Innovation Awards. These awards recognize the programs and volunteers that continue to drive economic revitalization in West Virginia’s historic commercial districts.
The Innovation Awards are presented to certified Main Street towns that win first, second and third place in the Large Community (more than 6,000 in population) category and those that win first, second and third place in the Small Community (fewer than 6,000) category, as well as to honorable mention communities. This year, funding for the awards has been increased to a total of $76,000.
“A downtown commercial district is a core location for small businesses. West Virginia’s aggressive business recruitment efforts promote our communities’ unique quality of life,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Through Main Street, we can provide downtown commercial space and infrastructure to support the expansion of existing businesses and provide innovative new businesses the perfect place for a startup.”
The Innovation Awards highlight the forward thinking of the Main Street programs and allow for the creation of new tools for economic restructuring within West Virginia commercial districts.
The 12 Main Street West Virginia Communities are: Charleston East End, Charleston West Side, Fairmont, Kingwood, Mannington, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Philippi, Point Pleasant, Ripley, Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs.
The U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that 95 percent of business establishments in West Virginia employ fewer than 50 employees.
Main Street West Virginia, a program of the West Virginia Development Office, focuses on economic revitalization of historic commercial districts by providing technical services, design assistance, and continuous training of board/committee members and program managers using the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Four-Point Approach®. The Four-Point Approach includes comprehensive work in organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Main Street West Virginia provides a liaison between various state agencies and organizations with the designated communities.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor or Monica Miller
304-558-2000 or 304-957-2049