OPRD release - SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street, which is part of Oregon Heritage, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners during the annual Main Street conference on October 8th in Albany. Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor outstanding accomplishments, activities, and people making a difference in historic downtowns across the state. A total of 11 projects, activities and people were recognized with an Excellence on Main Award and six certificates were given in recognition of volunteer service. The 11 individuals, projects, activities, and businesses honored are: Business of the Year: Wildflour Public House, North Bend; Business of the Year: No Dinx, Albany; Best New Building: Houlton Hollow, St. Helens; Bricks and Mortar: The Holly Theater, Medford; Main Street Resiliency: Monteith Square, Albany; Open Door: Carina’s Bakery, Beaverton; Economic Vitality: Highwater Café & Market and Highwater Offices, Reedsport; Leadership on Main: Kirsten Agard, Beaverton; Outstanding Partnership: City of West Linn and Historic Willamette Main Street, West Linn; Outstanding Promotional Event: North Bend Main Street Community Art Walk; Statewide Leadership: Lise Grato, Albany. In addition, six individuals were acknowledged with certificates recognizing them as Standout Volunteers for their above and beyond contributions to their communities, including: Brian Dalton, Dallas Downtown Association; Barb Dunham, North Bend Main Street; Denise Emmerling-Baker, Main Street Cascade Locks; Mayor Linda McCollum, Reedsport Main Street; Phyllis Nelson, Downtown Medford Association; Beth Walker, Albany Downtown Association. "What inspires me most is the heart behind each of these award winners,” said Sheri Stuart, State Coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “Whether it’s a business or property owner, a volunteer, or a city partner, each honoree represents the dedication and passion that keep Oregon’s downtowns thriving. By honoring their achievements, we’re also celebrating the future of Oregon’s Main Streets and the opportunities that come when we work together to reimagine what’s possible.” The wide range of Oregon Main Street’s Excellence on Main awards is reflective of the comprehensive Main Street Approach™ to downtown revitalization developed by the National Main Street Center. This model is used by the communities participating in the three-tier Main Street Track of Oregon Main Street Network. Oregon Main Street strengthens community networks, bolsters local economies, generates tax revenues, and fosters social connections across the state. OMS leads a network of local Main Streets that oversee a wide range of programmatic efforts to build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents. The Oregon Main Street network generates significant value for local communities and for the State of Oregon overall. Learn more about the impact of the Oregon Main Street program by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.