During its annual dinner, held at the Halifax County Arts Council building on Roanoke Avenue, Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle also gave an overview of progress made over the last fiscal year.
Dan Brown will be this year’s president while Ervin Griffin Sr. will be vice president. Gayle Garrett was named secretary and Carol Moseley treasurer. New board members are Dorcel Edmonds, Bill Mueller and Kim Simpson.
The Main Street Beautification award was presented to Joy and Marty Jones for their work on the former Countryside bike shop which is now Joy J’s, a dress shop. “They opened in March and have been a tremendous asset ever since,” Caudle said.
Business of the Year was awarded to david’s. “They drive people to the avenue,” said Caudle. “They’ve been a tremendous asset to Uptown.”
Volunteer of the Year was given to Mueller.
“A lot of people deserved this more than I did,” he said. “For each of you I accept this on your behalf.”
Sherry Hux Mills accepted the President’s Award.
Mills was one of the people who worked in the beginning to help Roanoke Rapids get its Main Street designation, Caudle said. “She’s been a tremendous asset.”

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Meanwhile, Caudle presented the Main Street annual report, which shows an increase in private investment of 305 percent year over year.
The numbers show investment in the Main Street program to be at an all-time high.
The private investment over the last fiscal year equates to $1,805,974. Public investment has increased 43 percent year over year. That represents $220,167 public investment for a total $2,026,141.
Since its inception there has been an $863,126 public investment; $3,596,978 private investment and a total $4,460,101.
Volunteers continue to make a difference in the program and logged 1,225 hours over the last fiscal year, representing a savings of $26,803. That figure, Caudle said, is based on a $21.88 per hour value of volunteers.
Volunteer hours over the course of the program is 10,108 and a savings of $221,163.
Overall, she said, people are seeing the value of the business district and six different events last year drew 2,200 visitors who spent $13,500. Cumulative, that equates to 16,800 visitors and spending in the amount of $96,000.
Statistics show for the last fiscal year a net of 14 new businesses and a net of 56 new jobs. There were 27 facade improvements; four building rehabs and three public improvements. Since 2010 there have been 90 facade improvements; 82 net new businesses and 278 net new jobs.
The biggest boost to the program this year came from the state budget in which the program was one of 53 municipalities to receive a one-time grant-in-aid of $94,340.
The grant is to be used for any economic redevelopment project within the historic district, Caudle said. “It’s huge for us, operating on a shoestring budget. We’re going to try to figure how to effectively spend it in August. If you see Representative Michael Wray, thank him.”