6/28/2012
Charleston, W.Va. – Communities across the state received honors and awards during the Governor’s Main Street and ON TRAC Reception and Awards Program. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin joined Main Street West Virginia in hosting the annual event June 27, 5 p.m. at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, in Charleston.
The awards program recognized the achievements of the state’s 12 accredited Main Street communities and 16 ON TRAC (Organization, Training, Revitalization and Capacity) communities.
The state’s accredited Main Street communities are Charleston East End and Charleston West Side, both of Kanawha County; Fairmont and Mannington, both of Marion County; Kingwood, Preston County; Martinsburg, Berkeley County; Morgantown, Monongalia County; Philippi, Barbour County; Point Pleasant, Mason County; Ripley, Jackson County; and Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs, both of Greenbrier County.
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.
The participating ON TRAC communities are Belington, Barbour County; Beverly and Elkins, both of Randolph County; Charles Town, Jefferson County; Madison, Boone County; Matewan, Mingo County; Mount Hope and Oak Hill, Fayette County; Parkersburg, Wood County; Parsons, Tucker County; Romney, Hampshire County; Rowlesburg, Preston County; Shinnston, Harrison County; Sistersville, Tyler County; Sutton, Braxton County; and Wheeling, Ohio County.
Created by Main Street West Virginia, ON TRAC is designed to help communities boost economic growth with evaluation, education, capacity building and networking.
Following is the list of the evening’s award winners:
Main Street West Virginia
Large Communities
- First Place Charleston East End Phase II of the “Third Place” project-The East End Retail Expansion-Open-Air Artisan and Retail Market.
- Second Place Martinsburg Burke Street Solar Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station project to install an electric vehicle charging station in the East Burke Street parking lot.
- Third Place Morgantown Implementation of Section 6-City of Morgantown’s Downtown Strategic Plan-”Strengthening downtown’s economic performances and diversify its economic uses.”
Small Communities
- First Place Mannington “The Local-Motive Project” is a three-phase project to ensure local entrepreneurs are on the “right track” in creating their dream business.
- Second Place Ronceverte “Spark” Solar Powered Automobile Recharging Kiosk, a demonstration project that will showcase the start of the Eco District.
- Third Place Philippi “Philippi and Media” uses diversified media outlets to aid in economic development.
Also awarded during the evening were the continuing educational awards to the following Main Street Communities: Charleston East End; Charleston West Side; Fairmont; Kingwood; Mannington; Martinsburg; Morgantown; Philippi; Point Pleasant; Ripley; Ronceverte.
ON TRAC Award Projects – 2012
Beverly
To support event promotion publication costs for materials to be distributed within a 50-mile radius of Beverly. Will also help cover social media subscriptions and costs.
Charles Town
To support the continuation of the Charles Town Downtown Concert Series. This event is important for the downtown merchants and bringing customers into town.
Elkins
To support the creation of an information packet of available downtown properties for sale or rent.
Madison
To support construction of a pavilion in the downtown park.
Parkersburg
To support developing a program to encourage local artists, businesses and non-profit organizations to use vacant storefront windows.
Parsons
To support the purchase of wayfinding signage.
Romney
To support the development of a self-sustaining year round co-op focused on regional/state heritage craftsmanship and promotion of agribusiness/farm products.
Shinnston
To support the purchase and installation of a large message center on Main Street.
Sutton
To support the purchase of wayfinding signage.
Contact Information
Catherine Zacchi
304-957-9340