The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation celebrated the best downtown revitalization projects of 2023 at the 33rd Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony held at Gather on Broadway in Green Bay.
“As Main Street goes, so goes Wisconsin’s economy, its well-being, our way of life in the Badger State,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO. “And these awards prove once again Wisconsin communities are thriving. Congratulations to the winners. We salute and celebrate you, our partners in creating an economy and improving the quality of life for the betterment and benefit of all.”
Sam Rikkers, WEDC deputy secretary and chief operating officer, recognized the winners at the awards ceremony.
“With many of these Main Street projects, we are preserving history and making history, leading by example in maintaining what sets Wisconsin apart,” Rikkers said. “While these projects in the heart of your communities are vital to local commerce and cultural activities today, they are part of our Badger State legacy we must preserve for future generations to enjoy.”
Other WEDC leaders also joined in the celebration of successful projects and initiatives executed by Main Street and Connect Communities programs around the state. Recognized projects included business and community development initiatives, building renovations, community celebrations, and revitalization success stories from across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by WEDC that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to the 34 Main Street communities to help them revitalize their business districts based on guidelines developed by the National Main Street Center.
Since the program’s inception in 1987, Wisconsin Main Street community efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 3,300 new businesses and nearly 17,000 net new jobs, and over $2.6 billion in public and private investment has occurred in these districts. During fiscal year 2023 alone, Wisconsin Main Street communities added 112 new businesses and 287 net new jobs. None of this activity would be possible without the nearly 30,000 volunteer hours that were dedicated to the Main Street effort by passionate individuals from each community.
Also represented at today’s event were members of WEDC’s Connect Communities Program, a companion program to Wisconsin Main Street created in 2013 to provide access to resources and training to help communities pursue revitalization and redevelopment efforts. Over the past decade, 138 participating communities have added more than 870 net new businesses and attracted nearly $4.6 billion in public and private investment.
The 2023 competitive award winners include:
Best Façade Rehab Under $25,000
- 20 E. Main Street – Driftless Fitness and Yoga – Platteville
Best New Business
- Sugar ‘N Spice Cheesecake & Coffee – Wausau
Best Retail Event
- First Friday – Racine
Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging (Organization)
- Diversity Through Design – Wausau
Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging (Individual)
- Royal Palmer – Platteville
Best Business Visual Merchandising Display (Interior)
- Coming Home – Osceola
Best Business Visual Merchandising Display (Storefront)
- Pear & Simple – Port Washington
Best Upper Floor Development
- The Fharmacy Public House – Lake Mills
Best Placemaking Improvement Project
- Honorable Mention – First National Bank Clock – Tigerton
- Vital Essentials Dog Park – On Broadway, Inc. – Green Bay
Connect Communities Award-Under 5,000 Population
- RevIV Aesthetics & Wellness, LLC, Owner: Marcy Davies, APNP, FNP-BC – Three Lakes
- Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics & City of Elroy
Connect Communities Award-Over 5,000 Population
- Bucyrus Commons – City of South Milwaukee
Best Promotional Marketing Campaign
- Honorable Mention – North for the 4th Sale – Tomahawk
- Love Racine – Racine
Best Public-Private Partnership in Revitalization
- Central Park 365 – Two Rivers
Best Business Development or Retention Program
- Welcome to Downtown Business Toolkit & Grant Program – Fond du Lac
Best Volunteer Recruitment/Recognition/Activity
- Dana Preibusch – Platteville
Best Business Success Story
- Pete’s Garage – On Broadway, Inc. – Green Bay
Best Cooperative Business Marketing
- Legendary Lake Mills “Love, Lake Mills Newsletter” – Lake Mills
Best Interior Renovation Project Under $50,000
- Object Homewares – Wausau
Best Special Event
- Honorable Mention – New Year’s Eve Cheese Drop – Monroe
- Port Festival of the Arts – Port Washington
Best Digital Marketing Campaign
- Pwr Forward Media, Twenty Fifth Hour & King Drive BID
Best Façade Rehab Over $25,000
- Saks Holdings – De Pere
Best Interior Project Over $50,000
- Cool City Brewing Company – Two Rivers
Best Historic Restoration Project
- Honorable Mention – Bradley Mural – Tomahawk
- Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce – Wausau
Best Adaptive Reuse Project
- Hotel Verdant – Racine
2023 Wisconsin Main Street Hall of Fame Inductees
- Tracy Hamilton – Monroe
- Eileen Nickels – Platteville
- Paul Jadin – Green Bay
Individuals recognized for exemplary service included:
Executive Director Years of Service Awards
- Shauna El-Amin – Beloit (12 years)
- Teri Ouimette – Chippewa Falls (13 years)
- Dianne Eineichner – West Allis (16 years)
- Amy Hansen – Fond du Lac (17 years)
- Craig Tebon – Ripon (32 years)
2022 Community Champions
- Tim Taylor – Beloit
- Jim Holperin – Eagle River
- Mike Leb – Fond du Lac
- Kurt Carpenter – Green Bay
- Dennis Keffer – Marshfield
- Brittany Hurd – Monroe
- Brandon Koehler – Osceola
- Deanna Hinderman – Platteville
- Judy Cotter – Port Washington
- Cynthia (Cindy) Mueller – Tigerton
- Joan Laabs – Tomahawk
- Justin Miller – Viroqua