On January 27, 2011, the Burlington City Council and City Manager, Harold Owen were named “Main Street Champions.” The designation was given by the North Carolina Main Street Center in recognition of the City’s dedicated support of the downtown revitalization efforts of Burlington Downtown Corporation. The award was presented to representatives of the City by N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll, Assistant Secretary for Community Development Henry C. McKoy, Jr. and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.
The North Carolina Main Street Center is a program of the North Carolina Department of Commerce that “helps small towns to recognize and preserve their historic fabric, and, using local resources, build on their unique characteristics to create vibrant central business districts that meet the needs of today's communities.” Each of the state’s active Main Street programs is given the opportunity annually to recognize Main Street Champions who have played a pivotal role in the revitalization of their downtown.
In recommending the Burlington City Council and City Manager Harold Owen for this honor, the Burlington Downtown Corporation offered the following:
"The past year has been an exciting period of transition for downtown Burlington. Through the leadership and commitment of Mayor Ronnie Wall and City Council members David Huffman, Jim Butler, Celo Faucette and Steven Ross, along with City Manager Harold Owen, downtown has benefitted from strategic public investments that set the stage for private investment.
The city’s increased commitment to the BDC through additional funding enabled them to hire a new executive director to lead the implementation of the master plan and to launch a comprehensive small grants program to encourage business and investment. Their leadership also led to the completion of a free WiFi system, newly paved streets and new crosswalks, planters, landscaping, gathering areas, banners and street furniture that will enliven downtown. Their proactive approach continued through a hard fought effort to pass two local bills in the state legislature that enhance the city’s and the BDC’s ability to market and develop a number of downtown opportunity sites.
The BDC board of directors applauds the leadership evident in these and other accomplishments and looks forward to continuing the momentum generated over the past year. In recognition of their contributions, we are pleased to recognize the Burlington City Council and Burlington City Manager Harold Owen as 2010 N.C. Main Street Champions."
City Councilmen Jim Butler and Steve Ross as well as City Manager, Harold Owen attended the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards dinner in Shelby, North Carolina to accept the Main Street Champions recognition on behalf of the City.
“It’s nice to know our efforts are being recognized across the state” Councilman Butler said in response to the award. He also noted that “We [the City of Burlington] must continue our collaborative efforts with all stakeholders as well as leveraging public/private partnerships to ensure continued growth and well being of downtown Burlington.”
Councilman Ross commented that “the Burlington Downtown Corporation’s new grant program has been more successful than anyone expected and will be the spark that finally gets the downtown area growing.”