Viroqua Wins Wisconsin Main Street Awards for Best Private Placemaking Improvement Project, Honorable Mention for Best Event, and Volunteer of the Year
The Viroqua Chamber Main Street is thrilled to announce The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) recognized Viroqua for three Wisconsin Main Street Awards at the 32nd Wisconsin Main Street Awards ceremony. The Smockettes’ Spring Ephemeral Mural Project has been named the Best Private Placemaking Improvement Project, the Viroqua Kids Market has received an Honorable Mention for Best Event, and Michele Williams was recognized as Viroqua’s Volunteer of the Year.
“Powered by dedicated business people, volunteers and government officials, Wisconsin’s Main Street and Connect Communities are working hard to make our downtowns more vibrant and prosperous places,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “These thriving communities with exciting places to work, beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities and safe, affordable housing are some of our state’s best talent attraction tools.”
The award for Best Private Placemaking Improvement Project went to the Spring Ephemerals Mural by Anna Kimm, Natalie Hinahara, and Stella Greendeer, a group of local muralists called the Smockettes. Their Spring Ephemeral Mural Project is a stunning example of how art can transform a space. The mural, featuring the unique spring flowers that grow for a brief window in the early spring in Southwestern Wisconsin, was carefully designed and researched by the Smockettes to be eye-catching and beautiful, but also deeply connected and tied to the local environment and community. The project has added color and vibrancy to the downtown area and serves as a testament to the creativity of our local artists. The mural was created through a collective effort between various entities, including the artists, the Viroqua Area Foundation, Kathie and Tom Wheeler (the property owner), and the many community members who generously contributed to the project.
The Viroqua Kids Market is another shining example of the Viroqua Chamber’s commitment to keeping the downtown area vibrant and encouraging the next generation of business leaders to get a taste of entrepreneurship. On the first Saturday of each month June through October, 8-12:30 pm, the Viroqua Farmers Market hosts the Kids Market in the WTC parking lot in downtown Viroqua. This special market provides a free space for young entrepreneurs to showcase their products and learn valuable business skills. It has become a beloved event in the community, drawing visitors from near and far. The award was received on behalf of the Viroqua Farmers Market and Viroqua Chamber by Allie Letterly, a kid's market entrepreneur who has showcased her rock collections at the market for several seasons.
In addition to these two awards, Michele Williams of Century 21 Affiliated was recognized as Viroqua’s Volunteer of the Year for 2022. Michele's dedication to the community and her hard work on the Viroqua Chamber Main Street Board of Directors among other volunteer and community service has been invaluable.
"The Viroqua Chamber is honored to be recognized by WEDC and the Wisconsin Main Street organization for the work we are doing to uplift our community.” Said Chris Clemens, Executive Director of the Viroqua Chamber. “To be nominated for and receive a single award is a tremendous accomplishment, but to receive three distinct awards is a reflection of the power of collaboration and the incredible people in our community."
Projects honored Friday include business and community development initiatives, historic preservation, community celebration and revitalization success stories from communities across Wisconsin.
“The Main Street Awards offer a chance to celebrate some of our communities’ most creative downtown efforts and hopefully inspire a few new ideas,” Hughes said.
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 the 34 Main Street communities to help them revitalize their business districts based on guidelines developed by the National Main Street Center.
Since the program’s inception in 1987, Wisconsin Main Street community projects have resulted in the creation of more than 3,200 new businesses and nearly 16,500 net new jobs. In addition, over $2.1 billion in private investment has occurred in Wisconsin Main Street communities.
During fiscal year 2022, Wisconsin Main Street communities added 215 new businesses and 647 net new jobs. None of this activity would be possible without the nearly 33,000 volunteer hours that were dedicated to the Main Street effort by passionate individuals from around the state.
