For the Progress-Times

The Mississippi Main Street Association celebrated the achievements of Mississippi Main Street communities and member towns at its Annual Awards Luncheon at the Old Capitol Inn in downtown Jackson on May 16.

The featured speaker for the event was Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. Swoope assisted Suzanne Smith, MMSA board president, with the award presentations.

Among the award recipients was Belinda Stewart Architects, PA for the Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 for their storefront rehabilitation of their office at 61 N. Dunn St. in Eupora. Accepting the award was Stephanie Stewart, Belinda Stewart, Holly Hawkins and Maggie Bjorgum.

Originally constructed as the Taylor Brothers Dry Goods Department Store in Eupora, 61 N. Dunn St. was structurally stabilized and restored to house the offices of Belinda Stewart Architects, P.A. The patterned glass transom windows, front door, brick masonry and stucco walls were retained in order to keep the original character of the entry intact, and the storefront color scheme brings a more lively and historic approach to bring color back to downtown Eupora.

Bob Wilson, MMSA executive director, hosted the awards, with help from MMSA Program Service directors Sam Agnew, Northern District; Jan Miller, Central District; and Stacy Pair, Southern District.

"The 2008 Awards Luncheon gives us the opportunity to celebrate our annual award winners and pay tribute to our Main Street communities and volunteers who work diligently to revitalize their downtowns," Wilson said.

"We are proud that the Mississippi program consistently ranks in the top Main Street programs throughout the country. These awards are an opportunity to recognize those individuals, businesses, special projects and agencies that make that high rank a reality," he said.

From records dating back to 1993, the Mississippi Main Street program, a program of MDA, has been responsible for $3.2 billion in combined public and private reinvestment across the state.

MMSA currently has 56 active community programs throughout the state as well as more than 39 municipal member communities that receive limited services from MMSA. In addition to the investment figures, MMSA has been responsible for more than 4,204 new businesses, 24,913 new jobs and 2,256 building rehabilitations.

More than 1,800 Main Street programs participate in 50 other states as well as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The Main Street program is an Economic Development Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.