The Downtown Racine Corporation is pleased to announce the commencement of nominations for the highly esteemed 2024 Achievement Awards. This is an opportunity to recognize the individuals, businesses, or organizations that have made significant contributions to the revitalization and growth of downtown Racine over the past year.
Nominations are now being accepted across various categories:
Downtown Showcase Award: This award recognizes an exceptional event, individual, or organization that has not only attracted visitors and residents but has also played a pivotal role in transforming downtown into a vibrant and dynamic hub.
Corporate Citizenship Award: This award honors an outstanding individual who has dedicated themselves to the improvement of downtown. This individual has selflessly served the community and tirelessly worked to promote its growth.
Best New Small Business Award: This award highlights a new retail establishment, gallery, or restaurant that has captivated the marketplace and contributed to enhancing the overall downtown experience.
Downtown Champion Award: This award recognizes a business or organization that exemplifies ultimate citizenship, supporting downtown through employment, facilities, and sponsorship. This entity has 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 enduring contributions have shaped the fabric of our downtown for over a decade. This honoree embodies the DRC’s mission by driving economic vitality and fostering downtown’s success as the heart of our community.
Kelly Kruse, Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation (DRC), emphasizes that a thriving downtown is not a result of chance but rather a product of visionary leadership, collaborative partnerships, and unwavering commitment. These awards serve as a recognition of the individuals and businesses that have dedicated themselves to nurturing and enhancing our downtown.
Tim Mason, DRC Board Chairman, underscores the significance of our downtown as the economic backbone of our community. We have been inspired by the remarkable achievements of our businesses and residents during the year of recovery. It is our honor to bestow these awards upon those who have inspired us to maintain our pursuit of excellence and resilience.
Nominations for the esteemed awards are now open. Kindly submit your reasons for nomination to kkruse@racinedowntown.com by December 5, 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 14, 2024, at 5:30 pm at The Red Onion (555 Main St.). This complimentary presentation is open to the public, and RSVPs are encouraged by January 3, 2024, to events@racinedowntown.com or 262-634-6002.
Let us collectively celebrate the vibrant spirit of downtown Racine and the extraordinary individuals and businesses that have contributed to its continued success.
The 2023 Achievement Award recipients 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
DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION: The Downtown Racine Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic, social, and cultural diversity through business development, event programming, and marketing initiatives aimed at promoting downtown to the community, developers, and visitors.
