East End Main Street Program and Merchants Receive Awards and
Recognition during Main Street Banquet

The Charleston Area Alliance would like to congratulate our East End Main Street program and volunteers, on their awards received during the West Virginia Main Street Awards Banquet. On Wednesday, May 2, Governor Joe Manchin presented the East End Main Street program and East End merchants with awards during this annual banquet, hosted by the West Virginia Development Office and the West Virginia Main Street program, at the Embassy Suites Hotel.

The volunteers for the East End Main Street Design Committee were awarded with the "Most Outstanding Design Committee" for a large community award based on their wonderful work on educating the public on historic preservation issues, the East End Facade assistance grant program, and the East End Public Arts mural. They also assisted numerous East End merchants and property owners with design assistance.

Program Manager, Mary Alice Hodgson, was also recognized for completing the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Manager Certification program. Mary Alice is now one of only two practicing Certified Main Street Managers in the state, and one of approximately 120 in the nation.

First Lady Gayle Manchin presented several volunteer recognition awards to EEMS recipients:

Volunteer of the Year - Janie Woodson-Claytor
Businessperson of the Year - Tray and Jackie Coleman
Board Member of the Year - Lori Brannon
Public Official of the Year - Chief Brent Webster

The East End Main Street Program was also presented with a Continuing Education Award for providing outstanding volunteer and staff educational opportunities in community and economic development.

Congratulations to all of our winners and to our East End Main Street Program.