Buddy Collins Honored as Main Street Champion

(L to R): Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Collins, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson. Photo by Garry E. Hodges.


On Thursday, January 29, 2009, Buddy Collins was honored as a 2008 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Statesville, NC. Collins was selected for this special recognition by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and the North Carolina Main Street Center in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 35 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating his designation, presented by NC Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts, and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

"Main Street Champions are the people who take on the early tasks, the pioneers who go where others often fear to tread, who step forward when others are stepping back, who make the tough calls and those risky investments. They embody the term 'community leader,' and they do this because they love their communities. There would be no Main Street successes without Main Street Champions," said Parham.

In nominating Collins for the honor, DDA testified to his volunteer efforts and leadership in the organization, having served as 2007 Chair of the Economic Restructuring Work Group and 2008 Chair of the Board of Directors. Collins' extensive volunteer record includes his work as Barbeque Coordinator of the Lincolnton Hog Happenin', help with events including the Main Street Gala and SWAT Team projects, and the organization of his signature event, the VIP Fish Fry. 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 Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce's Division of Community Assistance.