The Mississippi Main Street Association recognized the Starkville Main Street Association, developer Mark Castleberry and architect Briar Jones for their respective impacts on the community last week.
SMSA, which falls under the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s umbrella of services, won the Outstanding Creative Fundraiser Award for its recent Farm to Fork Dinner. The award goes to the downtown organization displaying the most creativity and success in securing funds for downtown programs or projects.
The award marks the third straight year SMSA received accolades at the ceremony. The organization tied for most awards received by any community in the state and was the only organization in the Golden Triangle to be recognized.
Castleberry, the lead developer behind The Mill at MSU, received the Outstanding Economic Impact Project Award for his development. Winners of the award are honored for their project’s ability to positively impact the local economy.
Jones, of Thomas Shelton Jones & Associates, won the Sam Kaye Excellence in Design Award, which is given to designers that exhibit the spirit, compassion and talent of the late architect. The award is named after the late Columbus architect and historian.
“I am so proud of the great work that business leaders, business and property owners, and our own community development organization are doing to protect, preserve and revitalize downtown Starkville,” said GSDP Chief Executive Officer and SMSA Manager Jennifer Gregory in a release. “Downtowns are the heart and soul of any great community, and that is no different in Starkville. The individuals and projects that were honored this year have greatly contributed to the quality of life in the Starkville community, and I’m so grateful for the honor and recognition that has been bestowed upon each of them.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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