On Thursday, January 31, Barry Woodard was honored as a 2007 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Rocky Mount. Mr. Woodard was selected for this special recognition by the Clayton Downtown Development Association in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process.
Along with Champions from 32 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating his designation presented by N.C. Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleve Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Meg Dees and Office of Urban Development Director Rodney L. Swink, FASLA.
“The Downtown Development Association was pleased to recognize Barry Woodard as the first NC Main Street Champion from Clayton,” said DDA Chair Joyce Blackley. “He championed downtown Clayton when there wasn’t much support and got things done.”
Each of the state’s active Main Street programs is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion. The dedication and hard work of countless volunteers is required to make a local Main Street program successful, and the Main Street Champion designation acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of those persons who have played pivotal roles in the revitalization of their downtowns.
“Main Street is a grassroots effort and, in order to be successful, every local program must draw on its community resources—both financial and human,” said Swink. “The human resources come in a number of forms: volunteers, Main Street board members, city staff, city councils and others. There are no greater supporters of Main Street than those people who we honor here tonight, individuals who have taken their dedication to downtown to the next level—our 2007 N.C. Main Street Champions.”
“Whether donating money for a minor league ball park or repairing a broken Christmas tree, Main Street Champions are the people who do what is needed when it is needed, ensuring that the downtowns they love remain vital, vibrant places. Main Street Champions take great pride in their downtowns, and tonight we take great pride in our Main Street Champions,” he said.
In nominating Woodard for this honor, the Clayton Downtown Development Association offered the following:
Barry Woodard has played an important role in helping to revitalize Clayton’s downtown. Along with various partners, he has made major investments in downtown, including construction of the Hometowne Realty building on East Main Street, one of the first new buildings in the downtown in many years. Barry has also made recent investments in several other downtown properties.
Barry has demonstrated a tireless commitment to downtown building improvements and chaired the Clayton Downtown Development Association for a number of years. In that role, he was instrumental in developing an awning assistance program, which has improved the appearance of downtown, and pushed for more town involvement in downtown improvement.
Barry’s involvement in downtown issues and activities is ongoing; he most recently served on the downtown parking needs assessment and inventory committee. And, as he has for many years, continues to help set up the town’s largest annual event, the Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and held downtown.
In recognition of his hard work and dedication on behalf of our downtown, the Clayton Downtown Development Association is proud to honor Barry Woodard as a Main Street Champion.
“Main Street” is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. The North Carolina Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance.
In 1980, North Carolina was one of six original states, selected from 38 that applied, to launch the work of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center. The North Carolina Main Street Program began working with its five original cities – New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro, and Washington – in September 1980 and has since grown to include 57 communities across the state. Clayton became a Main Street community in 2006.
Video of the presentation
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