NCDDA DOWNTOWN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Celebrating Innovation, Leadership, and Impact in North Carolina’s Downtowns
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 WINNERS!
The North Carolina Downtown Development Association (NCDDA) is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Downtown Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in downtowns across North Carolina.
The awards program honors projects, programs, and individuals advancing the vitality of downtown districts through economic development, placemaking, organizational leadership, clean and safe initiatives, strategic planning, and community-building efforts.
This year, NCDDA recognized one Downtown Leader of the Year, two Emerging Leaders, and twelve outstanding Downtown Impact Award-winning projects and programs. Award recipients represent communities and organizations of varying sizes from across the state, reflecting the diversity and strength of North Carolina’s downtowns.
- Hayden Plemmons — Asheville Downtown Association
- Christina Haley — Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
- Shakira Hodges — University City Partners
- Brand Camp SouthPark — SouthPark Community Partners
- Downtown Dickinson Giveaway — Downtown Greenville Partnership
- Downtown Holiday Lights Program — Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
- Gem Theatre Renovation — City of Kannapolis
- Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat — Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation
- Small Business Initiative — University City Partners
- SouthPark Skipper — SouthPark Community Partners
- SouthPark Window Walk — SouthPark Community Partners
- The Bull Ride — Downtown Durham, Inc.
- The Lofts at Osage Mill — City of Bessemer City
- Two-Hour Free Parking Program — Downtown Raleigh Alliance
- Wilson Visitor Center — Wilson Downtown Development Corporation
Read more about the Individual Award Winners
Read more about Project & Program Award Winners
Program Intent
To recognize outstanding leadership, rising talent, and exemplary initiatives that contribute to the vitality and success of North Carolina’s downtowns, while elevating best practices across the state.
The program aims to:
- Celebrate the outstanding work and leadership of NCDDA organizations across the state.
- Generate positive storytelling and media about the impact of downtown organizations.
- Provide value to members through organizational recognition.
- Increase visibility of work and foster statewide peer learning.
- Gather information about innovative, high-impact projects to strengthen NCDDA’s understanding of trends, challenges, and success stories across North Carolina downtowns.
Overview
The Downtown Excellence Awards recognize both individual leadership and organizational impact in downtown development and management. The awards highlight innovative strategies, best practices, and measurable results that strengthen local economies and communities of all sizes, from Main Streets to major urban centers.
Awards are presented annually. Submissions open to all NCDDA member organizations in good standing (Main Street programs, BIDs, downtown associations, consultants, urban districts, and municipalities).
Awards
Downtown Impact Awards
- Recognizes outstanding projects that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and measurable community benefit.
- Eligibility: Projects must have been significantly implemented, completed or expanded within the past two years. Open to all NCDDA member organizations in good standing.
- Selection: Up to five (5) recipients per category.
- Criteria: Community impact, innovation and creativity, measurable results, and best practice and/or replicability for other NC downtowns.
- Submission: $50 per project. Limit of three project submissions per NCDDA member organization. Each project may be eligible for up to two categories.
Downtown Impact Awards Categories:
- Communications & Marketing – Branding, storytelling, and marketing campaigns that elevate downtown visibility. (e.g., downtown branding, shop local or seasonal marketing campaign, storytelling or video series, downtown website/app/map, etc.)
- Events, Activations & Placemaking – Creative programming that enlivens downtown spaces and builds community. (e.g., signature downtown festival, market series, art or placemaking installation, holiday lighting or décor program, public space activation, etc.)
- Operations: Clean, Green & Safe – Programs improving safety, cleanliness, and quality of place. (e.g., ambassador or Clean & Safe program launch or significant expansion, beautification program, landscaping improvement project, public lighting enhancements, wayfinding, sustainability initiative, micro-mobility solutions, safety and outreach partnerships, etc.)
- Economic Development, Planning & Advocacy – Initiatives advancing business vitality, downtown planning, and policy. (e.g., downtown plans, research & reports, grant or façade improvement program, retail recruitment or vacancy reduction initiative, pop-up or incubator program, local policy advocacy and initiatives, etc.)
- Catalytic Projects – Major community investments, physical interventions, and infrastructure & revitalization projects designed to spur downtown investment. (e.g., downtown stadiums, streetscapes, historic preservation and development, adaptive reuse, P3 projects, pedestrian bridges and trails)
- Organizational Management – Excellence in governance, organizational strategic planning, community engagement, funding, strategies, and operational leadership. (e.g., organizational strategic plans, innovative funding models and fundraising, BID formation campaigns, community engagement initiatives, board or volunteer development program, databases and performance measurement systems, etc.)
Downtown Leader of the Year
- Honors an individual whose leadership, vision, and collaboration have significantly advanced downtown revitalization in their community or statewide. Focus of the award is on an individual’s significant recent impact and notable achievement(s) in their community within the past two (2) years.
- Eligibility: Professionals, civic leaders, or officials active in downtown development. A minimum of two (2) years of NC downtown experience required
- Selection: One (1) recipient.
- Criteria: Leadership excellence, innovation, impact, collaboration, and service to the profession.
- Submission: $75 fee. Limit of one submission per NCDDA member organization.
Emerging Leader
- Recognizes early-to-mid-career professionals who demonstrate creativity, initiative, and commitment to the downtown profession.
- Eligibility: Professionals with up to (but no more than) six years of downtown experience.
- Selection: Up to three (3) recipients.
- Criteria: Innovation, leadership, community impact, and potential for future growth.
- Submission: Free to nominate. Limit of one submission per NCDDA member organization.
Judging & Evaluation
The nominations were reviewed by a panel of experienced downtown professionals, NCDDA board members, and external experts.