Share on Facebook {mosimage}{mosimage}SMITHFIELD, N.C. - On Thursday, January 26, Chris Kinkade was honored as a 2011 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards program in Clayton. Kinkade was selected by Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation for this special recognition in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process.

Along with Champions from 30 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating this designation, presented by N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll, Assistant Secretary for Community Development Henry C. McKoy, Jr. and Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

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.

"A Main Street Champion is the innovative entrepreneur who is bringing fresh ideas to downtown; the reliable volunteer who can be found tending a barbeque cooker at 4:30 a.m. in preparation for a downtown special event; the creative building owner who takes great care to ensure that renovations respect the architectural and historical significance of the structure and the city council member who has worked diligently to preserve and protect the unique, authentic assets of the downtown she calls home. Whether volunteers, business or property owners, corporate citizens, civic leaders, municipal employees or public officials, Main Street Champions are the stewards of downtown, who go the extra mile to restore vibrancy and vitality to the hearts of the communities they love," said Parham.

In recommending Kinkade for this honor, Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation offered the following:

The 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge once remarked, "No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."

It is an honor to recognize a Smithfield business leader who seeks the opportunity to give to anyone in need. Chris Kinkade, who operates two downtown Smithfield businesses - We Ship It and Orchard House Booksellers and Coffee Shop - is a business owner with giving passion and entrepreneurial spirit. He is also a leader and advocate for small business.

Serving on the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation board of directors and as chairman of the Merchants Association, Chris has been a proponent of extended operating hours for downtown businesses, a source of creative ideas and a force for encouraging downtown Smithfield to become more environmentally friendly.

Chris has also created a community at Orchard House by offering entertainment on nights and weekends, gallery space for local artist and meeting space for various civic organizations, clubs and support groups. For Chris, there's more to running a business than just the bottom line.

Few have as much passion and are as giving as Chris, and the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is honored to recognize Chris Kinkade as our 2011 North Carolina 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 Urban Development division in the Department of Commerce's Division of Community Development.

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 with five participating cities - New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro and Washington - in September 1980 and has since grown to include 61 communities across the state.

To learn more about the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation, individuals may call Chris Johnson at 919-934-0887 or visit them on the web at www.downtownsmithfield.com.