Marshfield businesses earn honors as well

For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — On April 8 the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) recognized the best downtown revitalization projects of 2015 at the 25th Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Marshfield. Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, was on hand to recognize the efforts by Main Street volunteers and staff for the historic preservation and downtown economic development efforts of communities in Wisconsin.

“In Wisconsin we know that the state’s economic success relies not only on thriving urban centers but also on economic development in small and midsize communities in every region of the state,” Hogan said. “We work in partnership with communities to help them thrive and seize opportunities, and the Wisconsin Main Street Program is a prime example of this.”

Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by WEDC that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to Wisconsin communities to revitalize their business districts based on historic preservation developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Wisconsin has 34 Main Street communities. Since 1987 the Wisconsin Main Street Program has worked with more than 60 communities and has been responsible for the creation of an estimated 12,000 jobs and 2,300 new businesses.

During fiscal year 2015, the Wisconsin Main Street Program was responsible for the creation of an estimated 586 jobs and 115 new businesses in the state. The program also renovated or reconstructed 350 buildings and held 526 events to get people to these revitalized districts, with a total attendance of more than 1.2 million people.

The awards presented to the Marshfield community were the following:

—Best Storefront Display: My Oh My Boutique.

—Marshfield’s Best Business Development Program: Holiday Pop Up Shop Program.

—Marshfield’s Best Interior Renovation Project – Over $50,000: The Blodgett Haus.