HOISINGTON — The power of the Kansas Main Street network was evident on Oct. 18 as over 200 individuals  from 25 Kansas Main Street communities celebrated the best achievements from this past year.
Over 60 etched glass trophies were given in 11 categories. The Awards of Excellence banquet capped off the last official event sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Commerce who closed down the revitalization program on Sept. 20 to meet budget constraints.
Hoisington Main Street winners were:
•Jonathan Mitchell who won the Kansas Community Award for making an outstanding contribution to their local Main Street.
•Cates Carquest along with the Promotion Committee sponsored the Poker Run, Fireworks and Car Show that won the Excellence in Fundraising Award which recognizes outstanding local fundraising activities.
•Prairie House Flowers & Gifts along with the Economic Restructuring Committee won the Excellence in Business Development Award which recognizes outstanding efforts to improve the downtown business climate.
Former KMS state coordinator Mary Helmer and Todd Barman, senior program officer for the National Trust Main Street Center, took turns announcing the winners.
“The National Trust Main Street Center is extremely impressed with the way Kansas’ Main Street communities and Mary have handled themselves in response to the unfortunate circumstances and are thankful for the opportunity to help celebrate their collective achievements of the past year,” said Barman. “It is amazing what private individuals, local Main Street programs, and Kansas Main Street were able to accomplish together and I see a bright future for these communities, individually and collectively.”