Anniston, AL – The City of Anniston shared that on the 17th of August 2023 Main Street Alabama held its 10th Annual Awards of Excellence Banquet at Stovehouse in Huntsville to recognize the achievements of local initiatives. The event was hosted by the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and Alfa Companies. Main Street Alabama’s State Coordinator and President, Mary Helmer Wirth, and Assistant State Coordinator Trisha Black, honored projects as well as individuals who made important contributions to the communities they serve. In the Awards of Excellence program highlighted the enormous impact of the honorees’ achievements in their respective communities.


The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in the categories of Historic Rehabilitation and Public Relations, Fundraising, Private/Public Partnerships, Business Development Economic Impact and adaptive Reuse Promotion, Business Promotion Placemaking, Marketing and Non-Historic Building Design as well as Planning & Public Space. The local Main Street programs also chose an award for a Main Street Hero that honored any individual, company or other organization that has contributed a significant contribution to their program.

“On behalf of City of Anniston and Main Street Anniston I couldn’t be more pleased to receive these awards of Excellence from Main Street Alabama. We are confident that we have our community, Main Street Anniston and the City of Anniston. City of Anniston, Main Street Anniston and the strength that our communities have to create Downtown Anniston a thriving community where people stay and visitors come back. We are creating a bustling downtown that is a place where people come together and businesses thrive. A space where memories are created and bonds between communities are strengthened. We are grateful for this acknowledgement of the ongoing initiatives that are the work of Main Street Anniston.” — Main Street Anniston Executive Director Karla Eden



Main Street Anniston received the following honors for excellence.


  • Main Street Hero | Anniston Parks & Recreation Department

  • Excellence in Private/Public Partnership | Sparklight and Main Street Anniston

  • Marketing Excellence Main Street Minute

  • Excellence in Planning & Public Space | Noble Street Park

  • Excellent Reinvestment 50 Million dollars in lifetime Downtown Reinvestments

*Photos Courtesy City of Anniston



About Main Street Alabama:


Main Street Alabama has 32 Designated Programs as well as 32 network Communities. Alexander City, Anniston, Athens, Atmore, Birmingham’s Historic 4th Ave Business District Birmingham’s Woodlawn District, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Decatur, Demopolis, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Florence, Foley, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, LaFayette, Leeds, Marion, Monroeville, Montevallo, Opelika, Oxford, Scottsboro, South Huntsville, Russellville, Talladega, and Wetumpka each have designated programs. Residents who want to revitalize their downtowns are able to participate in Main Street Alabama’s Network. Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing more jobs, money as well as people to Alabama’s historical communities. Economic development is at the core of what we do to revive neighborhoods and downtowns.