Aug. 17, Main Street Alabama held its tenth annual Awards of Excellence Banquet at Stovehouse in Huntsville to celebrate the successes of local programs. Downtown Russellville was recognized as a 2023 designated Main Street Alabama city.

Downtown Russellville was honored as a 2023 Main Street Alabama city designee, along with Centreville. Russellville was previously presented with a signed proclamation by Gov. Kay Ivey to recognize the achievement.

“I am absolutely thrilled to witness Russellville’s remarkable journey as we proudly accept the esteemed designation of a Main Street Alabama city in 2023,” said Ann Epperson McDermitt, executive director of the Downtown Russellville Collective.

“This milestone stands as a testament to our community’s unwavering dedication to preserving our rich heritage while embracing a vibrant future,” McDermitt continued. “With the proclamation graciously presented to us by Main Street Alabama and signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, we are reminded of the incredible potential that lies within our historic streets and cherished spaces.”

McDermitt said the city is proud to join with fellow designated Alabama cities in working “to grow economic strength.”

“The Downtown Russellville Collective will continue to work hand in hand with our residents, local businesses, government and key partners to create a downtown that truly embodies the spirit and essence of our Russellville,” she added.

Local Main Street programs also selected a Main Street Hero that honored an individual, business or organization that made an outstanding contribution to their program and was recognized at the Toast to Heroes Reception sponsored by Regions Bank prior to the banquet. Current Downtown Russellville Collective board president, Julie McKinney, was selected as Russellville’s Main Street Hero.

As a community leader, Julie McKinney recognized a need to collaborate with the City of Russellville and gather the data needed to complete the 2022 Main Street Alabama application and presentation.

The city’s path toward its eventual recognition has been a long time coming, being named a Main Street Alabama network community in 2016. Since then, following guidance from Main Street Alabama resources, the work has continued. The application committee, led by McKinney, resulted in Russellville being named as the pilot program for the Aspiring Tier. Julie currently serves as the board president of the nonprofit Downtown Russellville Collective.

“Thank you to all my peers,” McKinney said. “I’m honored to receive this recognition. My personal devotion to our town of Russellville has been a delight and a challenge. Truly, I can’t wait to discover the next hero as we continue progress and inspire each other.”

The Awards of Excellence recognized winners in the categories of adaptive reuse, preservation, historic rehabilitation, fundraising, public/private partnerships, business development, economic impact, promotion, business promotion, marketing, tourism, volunteer development, placemaking, design development, non-historic building design, reinvestment and planning and public space.

The event was sponsored by Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and Alfa Companies. Main Street Alabama’s president and state coordinator, Mary Helmer Wirth, and assistant state coordinator, Trisha Black, recognized projects and individuals who made significant contributions to their communities.