Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
During this year's annual Main Street Summit, held virtually Oct. 6-7, Governor Doug Burgum announced New Rockford as a recipient of the Main Street Art, Culture and Vibrancy Award.
This award recognizes communities or groups that have contributed to their vibrancy by activating shared public space, promoting and celebrating the arts and culture and/or hosting community events that engage residents and visitors. Local art and culture, events and our shared spaces make our communities unique and are essential parts of attracting and retaining a talented workforce.
"We are deeply grateful for all the communities, organizations and individuals who have adopted the principles of the Main Street Initiative to build healthy, vibrant and resilient communities," said Burgum. "These awards highlight the resiliency, dedication and innovative capabilities that our residents displayed through their unique efforts to improve their communities."
New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation Executive Director Amanda Hegland featured the New Rockford Summer Street Market, which was launched in July 2019. Hegland says that from the beginning they had a vision for the event.
"One of our goals is to bring more people downtown, Hegland said. "We wanted to have a safe and fun family and community-oriented event. We have a beautiful park right in our downtown and we wanted to utilize that space. We hope that this event will showcase the local makers' market as well as our local retail businesses."
Hegland's hopes were realized, as the market did in fact have a draw. The Transcript reported, "People had come from near and far to be part of this street market. One family told NRABC summer intern Natalie Carlson they traveled 35 miles just for the market."
"It was everything we could have ever hoped for and more." said Hegland. "People were just rolling in. It was constantly busy."
When applying for the Main Street Award, Hegland set new goals for 2021. "The goal is for us to have one street market per month, over three summer months," she said. The Main Street Award will help make that a reality.
According to Hegland, the Main Street Award isn't all about recognition, it's about development too. The award allows for free participation in the NDSU Extension program Community Impressions, which will help inform strategic plans to enhance the community.
Stay tuned, folks, for bigger and better Summer Street Markets, coming your way in summer 2021.
Other area communities also received 2020 Main Street awards
The Maddock Opera House received the Legendary Heritage Award for the total renovation of the dilapidated downtown opera house. The award recognizes communities focused on preserving and protecting the historical assets of their towns. By honoring historical buildings and structures, spaces and other assets, North Dakota's communities connect generations of residents and inspire community pride.
The City of Devils Lake received the urban Main Street Excellence Award, which recognizes communities whose efforts embody all three pillars of the Main Street Initiative: smart, efficient infrastructure; 21st century workforce; and healthy, vibrant communities. The award is presented to both a rural and urban community. The community of Forman also received the award for its grocery store, which provides high-quality food for residents.
The 21st Century Workforce Award recognizes excellence in efforts to attract or retain workforce or working with local youth to promote workforce development opportunities in a community. Excellence in workforce attraction and retention can be demonstrated through the implementation of a strategy encouraging people to move to and stay in the community or through efforts to engage students in leadership development or workforce exploration in local industries.
Three 21st Century Workforce Awards were handed out.
1) Makewell Skills Camp and Workshop Marathon received the award for hosting workshops that provided essential topics for local freelancers, small business owners and entrepreneurs.
2) Rugby Job Development Authority, Rugby Student Loan Repayment Program was honored for attracting more young people and families to live in Rugby by offering student loan incentives.
3) Cavalier Stimulus Program designed to offset the negative financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local businesses and consumers.
The Smart Efficient Infrastructure Award went to Milnor Grocery Store for for providing essential services to the community and supporting other local businesses. This award recognizes a community that has made sound planning decisions by investing in spaces with existing infrastructure, such as a vacant lot (infill) or dilapidated building.
