Deb Sinclair honored as Main Street MP Volunteer of the Year

Mt. Pleasant honored its volunteer of the year, Deb Sinclair, at the 27th annual Main Street Iowa Awards celebration Friday, May 2 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Iowa Events Center) in Des Moines.

Josh and Karla Maher, Brian and Deb Sinclair, and Lisa Oetken represented Main Street Mt. Pleasant at the event which was attended by approximately 500 individuals representing communities across the state. Competitive nominations were submitted for 77 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Nineteen were recognized with awards and two received honorable mention.

The honors were presented by Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). In addition to the competitive nominations, 51 individuals or couples who were selected by their community for outstanding dedication and volunteer service benefiting the local Main Street program were recognized during the awards ceremony.

?In my 1985 State of the State address to the Iowa Legislature, I proposed finding the funds to create Main Street Iowa,? stated Governor Branstad. ?We knew from the very beginning that Main Street was not a quick-fix solution, but rather an incremental approach to fostering positive change. In my travels across the state, I have seen the program at work in small towns, mid?size cities, urban centers and neighborhood commercial districts. It has had far greater impact than we ever could have imagined in 1985.?

In its 27-year history, Main Street Iowa has tracked over $1.3 billion in private investment in the purchase, construction and rehabilitation of property in participating commercial districts, significantly increasing the state?s job and business base. In addition, nearly two and a half million hours of volunteer time have been logged collectively by local main street organizations.