Belmont’s Main Street makes ‘Great’ list
Belmont’s Main Street has been recognized as a “Great Main Street” in the 2015 Great Places in North Carolina.
According to the awards program sponsor, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association, Belmont’s nomination highlighted the role that Main Street plays in the community as a center of activity that includes thriving local business community, the adaptive re-use of a former general store and a department store, family-friendly entertainment and active living while retaining a “small town” feel.
The awards are designed to help celebrate the great communities throughout the state and were given in both Professionals’ and People’s Choice categories. The professionals’ category, for which Belmont was honored, includes a detailed nomination process that requires in-depth descriptions of the work and partnerships that went into creating the main street.
“All of these ‘Great Main Streets’ represent excellent examples of community-based planning at its best,” said John Morck, president of APA-NC.
An expert panel selected three other North Carolina main streets for recognition in the Professionals’ Category. From dozens of nominations submitted, the panel recognized Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, Middle Street in New Bern, and Jefferson Avenue in West Jefferson as “Great Main Streets.” In addition, the panel selected Center Street in Goldsboro as a “Great Main Street in the Making.”
In the People’s Choice category, where the winners were chosen by popular vote in an online contest, Roanoke Rapids’ Roanoke Canal Trail won “Great Greenway” and the 200 North Queen Street in Kinston was recognized as the “Great Historic Rehabilitation.”
In addition to being featured on the GreatPlacesNC.org website and the NC Chapter of the American Planning Association website, winners are provided marketing materials to use in business and economic development efforts, receive an award at a presentation in their community, and will be recognized at the APA-NC Annual Conference in October.
Learn more:
Please visit apa-nc.org.
This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Belmont’s Main Street makes ‘Great’ list."