The Downtown Racine Corporation is delighted to announce the commencement of nominations for the highly anticipated 2024 Achievement Awards. This is your opportunity to recognize the individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made a significant impact on downtown Racine’s energy and vibrancy over the past year.
Nominations are now being accepted across various categories:
– **Downtown Showcase Award:** This award celebrates an exhilarating event, person, or organization that has not only attracted visitors and residents but has also significantly contributed to transforming downtown into a lively, dynamic, and happening hub.
– **Corporate Citizenship Award:** This award recognizes an outstanding individual who has been a driving force behind the improvement of downtown. This individual has selflessly served the downtown community and tirelessly worked to promote its growth.
– **Best New Small Business Award:** This award highlights a new retail shop, gallery, or restaurant that has captivated the marketplace and played a crucial role in enhancing the overall downtown experience.
– **Downtown Champion Award:** This award honors a business or organization that exemplifies ultimate citizenship by supporting downtown through employment, facilities, and sponsorship. They truly become the backbone of our community.
– **CPR Award:** This award acknowledges the redevelopment of a downtown building or property that has significantly contributed to enhancing the overall downtown neighborhood, breathing new life into the area.
– **Decades of Dedication Award:** This award celebrates a business or individual whose lasting contributions have shaped the fabric of our downtown for over a decade. This honoree exemplifies the DRC’s mission by driving economic vitality and helping downtown thrive as the heart of our community.
Kelly Kruse, the Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation (DRC), underscores that a thriving downtown doesn’t occur by chance. It demands vision, collaboration, and unwavering commitment. These awards serve as a platform for the DRC to recognize the individuals and businesses that embody this passion for our downtown.
Tim Mason, the DRC Board Chairman, emphasizes that our downtown stands as the very heart and economic powerhouse of our community. We have been deeply inspired by the remarkable accomplishments of our businesses and residents during a year of remarkable recovery. It is with great honor that we present these awards to those who have ignited our spirits and motivated us to continuously strive for excellence and perseverance.
Now, it is your turn to nominate the deserving candidates who deserve these accolades. Kindly send your nominations via email to kkruse@racinedowntown.com, specifying the reasons behind their merit. The nomination deadline is December 5th, 2024.
Mark your calendars for the grand announcement of the winners at the Downtown Racine Corporation’s State of the Downtown and Achievement Awards on January 14th at 5:30 pm at The Red Onion (555 Main St.). This free event is open to the public, and RSVPs are highly encouraged by January 3rd, 2024, to events@racinedowntown.com or 262-634-6002.
Together, let us celebrate the spirit of downtown Racine and the extraordinary individuals and businesses that make it flourish!
The 2023 Achievement Award winners are as follows:
– Downtown Showcase Award: Red Onion Cafe
– Corporate Citizenship Award: Dan Dumont
– Best New Small Business Award: Eave
– Downtown Champion Award: Chris Sklba
– CPR Award: Rivers End District
