JACKSON, Miss. (June 16, 2022) – The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) celebrated achievements of Mississippi Main Street Communities at the Annual Awards Luncheon at The South Warehouse in downtown Jackson. 
 
The annual awards luncheon honors Main Street directors, board members and volunteers and recognizes the most outstanding downtown development and preservation projects and events from Main Street communities in Mississippi. 

“The Annual Awards Luncheon is the highlight of our year where we get to celebrate the people, projects, and initiatives that make Mississippi’s downtowns the hub of activity in their communities,” said Thomas Gregory, MMSA Executive Director. “Our local Main Street programs work hard to implement a strategic plan of work focused on downtown revitalization, and we are proud to recognize the success stories that our programs accomplished over the past year.”
 
MMSA staff presented the 2022 awards to recipients from Designated Main Street Communities throughout the state.
 
This year's award recipients are:
 
Biloxi Main Street
Team Cleveland Main Street
Main Street Clinton
Main Street Columbus
Main Street Greenville
Main Street Greenwood, Inc.
Downtown Hattiesburg Association
Holly Springs Main Street Chamber
Laurel Main Street
Nettleton Main Street
New Albany Main Street
Ocean Springs Main Street
Main Street Pascagoula
Picayune Main Street, Inc.
Pontotoc County Main Street Chamber
Ripley Main Street
Senatobia Main Street
Sumrall Main Street Association
Starkville Main Street Association
Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association
Vicksburg Main Street Program
West Point Main Street
Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association
 
2021-2022 MMSA Board President Chris Chain of Renovations of Mississippi recognized award sponsors, annual investors, and special guests before presiding over the general business meeting.
 
In addition, the 2022 Nationally Accredited Main Street programs were recognized, as well as new community members, and Main Street directors who have served for 10 years or longer in their communities. 
 
This year’s Annual Awards Sponsors include Hotel 27, Atmos Energy, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Belinda Stewart Architects, Mississippi State University Extension, the Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center, Main Street Pascagoula, and New Albany Main Street. Mrs. Paula Beasley of Gulfport provided the Charles Beasley Scholarship Award for the Outstanding Main Street Director of the Year.
 
The Mississippi Development Authority, Entergy Mississippi, Mississippi Power, and Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area were recognized as corporate sponsors of this year’s awards program.
 
In 2021, Mississippi Main Street's Designated Communities generated 193 net new businesses, 49 business expansions to existing businesses, 603 net new jobs, 58 building rehabilitations, and 241 downtown residential units. In addition, 95 public improvement projects were completed as well as 14 new construction projects in downtown business districts. More than $186 million was invested by the public and private sectors in 2021, and more than 28,452 volunteer hours were recorded. 

Every dollar spent in this organization results in $80 of private investment, the highest return on investment of any economic activity in the state. Since 1993, MMSA has generated more than $5.9 billion in private and public investment (including more than $1.6 billion in public investment).

MMSA currently has 48 Designated Main Street Communities, five Network Communities, and 13 Associate Communities.

 
2022 Award Winners

Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) is a catalyst for the preservation and economic revitalization of Mississippi’s historic downtowns and districts. As a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program, MMSA helps lead a powerful, grassroots network consisting of more than 40 Coordinating Programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. 

Award photos will be available within 24 hours. For award photos, project photos and awards narratives, please email [email protected]. 

For more information about MMSA, visit www.msmainstreet.com.

Greenville, MS – Main Street Greenville has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
 
“We are extremely proud to recognize this year’s 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”
 
In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.
 
Main Street Greenville’s performance is annually evaluated by the Mississippi Main Street Association which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
 
“Main Street Greenville is a vital part of our downtown landscape. The programs and events it administers create a significant impact on our local small businesses and city,” said Douglas Wade, Board President.
 
Since 1990, Main Street Greenville has invested its resources in downtown historic renovations, design and implementation of downtown green spaces, socio-economic impact projects such as the Delta Hot Tamale Festival, and providing local small businesses with business planning assistance, façade and other improvement grants, and tax abatement programs. In 2021, Main Street Greenville restored over 12,000 square feet of historic building space, reopened 34,472 square feet of unused retail space in the Central Business District, created 13 new jobs, matched $44,500 in grant monies, and reinvested $475,201 into local  businesses.
 
To learn more about Main Street Greenville and its programs, please visit www.MainStreetGreenville.com.