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<p class="MsoNormal">Good morning, almost afternoon the day after!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What a fabulous time we had last night celebrating you all and your local Main Street efforts! I hope everyone made it home safely!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below is the press release that should go out to statewide media tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, hopefully this will work to get your access to the photos! The link will expire in three days and this is all the photos so what you don’t need after downloading, just delete.
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span> This was the quickest way to get you your photos.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, the video will be up at some point on youtube on the commerce channel. When it is available I will send email out. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#797C7F"><a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/wetransfer.com/downloads/848d4cca66eba8ecd21f5179acad666b20240925160640/6123c89a5c103e4fea265c911e3ec9ac20240925160640/f935bb?trk=TRN_TDL_01&utm_campaign=TRN_TDL_01&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid__;!!NZFi6Pppv9YRQw!qItj3XZy6FKUFxm-pmWycI49GsZ8s17mMSykA2AH5jwCeAVBJh4nE0HORjZhVXDbSpwdepP45Ca-qHnHbg2uAtZGtHM$"><span class="downloadlinklink"><span style="color:#5268FF">https://wetransfer.com/downloads/848d4cca66eba8ecd21f5179acad666b20240925160640/6123c89a5c103e4fea265c911e3ec9ac20240925160640/f935bb</span></span><span style="color:#17181A">
</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>Oklahoma Main Street Announces Award Winners</b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>(Oklahoma City, Okla.) – </b>The Oklahoma Main Street Center announced today the winners of the program’s annual statewide awards competition. Finalists were recognized and the winners announced during the 34<sup>th
</sup>annual Main Street Awards Banquet, September 24th, in Oklahoma City.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Programs across the state competed in 24 award categories representing the “Four Points” of the Main Street Approach which are Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. Panels of outside judges for each point reviewed the entries
and determined the winners. In addition, Program of the Year, the Watonga Bog Shoemaker Award (Program Director of the Year) and the Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award were also recognized and awarded.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk128739561">“These awards truly shine a spotlight on the incredible dedication and tireless efforts poured into our local programs,” said Buffy Skee, director of the Oklahoma Main Street Center. “From the vibrant, unique events
that have become cherished traditions, to the passionate volunteers, the meticulous restoration projects, and the flourishing small businesses that breathe life into our downtowns and historic districts—each element plays a vital role in making our Main Streets
exceptional. These awards are a celebration of the brilliance that makes Main Streets across Oklahoma not just survive, but truly thrive. Congratulations to all the top finishers and winners for your extraordinary achievements and contributions!”<o:p></o:p></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"><a name="_Hlk177634426">The Oklahoma Main Street Legacy Award is given to an individual that has shown long-term commitment to and belief in the Main Street Program. Rusty Milroy, Okmulgee, Okla.,
received the 2024 award. Milroy has been a lifelong resident of Okmulgee and is the Commercial Lending Officer and Vice-President of Mabrey Bank. He has been involved with the Okmulgee Main Street program since 1986 including two terms as president of the
board. Among his many other honors and volunteer positions he is an Oklahoma Main Street Foundation Board Member as well as the Oklahoma Main Street Advisory Board.
<o:p></o:p></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk177634426"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk177634426"><a name="_Hlk177634716">“Rusty is the perfect example of ‘once involved with Main Street, always involved with Main Street’,” said Skee. “Main Street works
because of people like Rusty who care about their community and wants to see it succeed. We are grateful for his involvement at not only the local level but for the statewide program. He offers his insight, knowledge and experience for the betterment of the
program.”<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk177634716"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk177634426"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk128739561"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the world of Main Street, people tend to lose their last names once becoming a Main Street Director. This was certainly true of Bob Shoemaker or “Watonga Bob.” Always an informal guy on a first-name-basis-as-soon-as-he-met-you, Bob took
on the program director position later in life after a successful business career. He passed away suddenly in 2010 but not before leaving an indelible mark in the Oklahoma Main Street world because of his work ethic, service to his community and promotion
of the Main Street Program. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The finalists for the award this year included Maci Graves, Ponca City Main Street; Jamie Hale, Tahlequah Main Street; and Vicki Davis, Yukon 66 Main Street. Davis of Yukon received the top honor this year.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none">“Vicki is a tremendous asset to Yukon 66 Main Street,” said Angie McPherson, Yukon 66 Main Street president. “She works tirelessly to ensure the program is working towards its goals and mission statement while
building strong relationships with those involved in the community. Vicki’s knowledge of and experience with the Main Street Approach has helped Yukon’s program grow while also providing educational opportunities for board members, committee members and community
volunteers. Vicki’s love and appreciation for the Main Street program has inspired the board and others to continue to set goals that are the map to the success of the program.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 2024 Main Street Program of the Year is Sapulpa Main Street. To determine the Main Street Program of the Year, the Oklahoma Main Street Center measures various quality ratings for each local Main Street program. These include meeting
the six Standards of National Accreditation and other activities such as attending the annual awards banquet and additional trainings, timely submission of Main Street Award nominations and reinvestment reports, etc. This award is a mark of program excellence,
and measured involvement within the program. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk66461195">The 2024 Point award winners are: <o:p>
</o:p></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><b>ORGANIZATION:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Premier Partner</u></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><br>
Perry – Ditch Witch<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Main Street Community Education Campaign<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Yukon – Yukon E.D.G.E. Tools for Your business Workshop<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Outstanding Community Engagement Effort<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Sapulpa – Route 66 Christmas Chute<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Main Street Hero<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Tahlequah – Brad Hale<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Creative Fundraising Effort<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Woodward – Food Truck Throw Down<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Outstanding Public Official<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Ponca City – Rhonda Skrapke<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><b>PROMOTION:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Premier Special Event Under 1,000 Attendees<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Tahlequah – OksWagen Festival<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Premier Special Event Over 1,000 Attendees<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Tahlequah – Red Fern Festival<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Main Street Retail Event
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Altus – Barbie Crawl<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Outstanding Image Promotion
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Ponca City – Unity Mural Project<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Creative New Event
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Enid – Bikes and Barks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><b>DESIGN: <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Placemaking Project<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Tahlequah – The Cultural Pathway Project<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Interior Design Project Under $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Ponca City – The Harvest Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Interior Design Project Over $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Altus – Hudson Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Perry – Dreamer Properties/Maroon Nutrition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Altus – Hudson Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Visual Merchandising
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Sapulpa – Crossroads Cookery Coffee Lab<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Building/Business Branding
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Altus – The Enchanted Door<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><b>ECONOMIC VITALITY:<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Adaptive Reuse Project Under $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Ponca City – The Harvest Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best Adaptive Reuse Project Over $25,000
<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Sapulpa – Sugar Llamas/Bowden Building<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Outstanding Entrepreneurial Endeavor<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Perry – Willow Lane<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Outstanding Business Expansion<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Stockyards City – Boxcar Woody Furniture Co.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Best New Business<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195">Sapulpa – Reed Architecture & Interiors<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"><u>Business of the Year<o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk66461195"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ardmore – Casa Romo<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more information about the Oklahoma Main Street Center visit okcommerce/gov/mainstreet. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Kelli Yadon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Program Coordinator | Oklahoma Main Street Center<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oklahoma Department of Commerce<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">900 N Stiles Ave. | Oklahoma City, OK | 73104<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">405.815.5379 (office)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">405.778-9375 (cell)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov">Kelli.Yadon@okcommerce.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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