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Main Street America is proud to recognize John Bry, Program Coordinator at Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) in Michigan, as the 2023 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient. This prestigious award is the organization’s top honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of comprehensive preservation-based economic development and commercial district revitalization. The award highlights the impact of these individuals and amplifies the critical role that leaders play in shaping the Main Street Movement.
Nominated by colleagues, and selected by a national jury, John is being recognized for his ability to develop innovative ideas, build organizational capacity of local programs and leaders, and lead through understanding as program coordinator.
“Main Street coordinators play vital roles as conveners, mentors, and advocates,” said Hannah White, Interim President and CEO at Main Street America. “And John Bry is exemplary in these roles and many more. John’s passion for historic preservation and ability to rally local leaders around the Main Street Approach have made a lasting impact on countless communities.”
The Oakland County Economic Development staff nominated Bry for the award. The directors and downtown managers of Main Street Oakland County (MSOC), former colleagues, and faculty of Southeast Missouri State University submitted letters of support, all describing Bry’s ability to apply creative solutions to complex problems and bring together diverse stakeholders through shared visions.
At 19, John founded the Champaign County Preservation Alliance, Ohio’s first countywide preservation organization. After receiving degrees in historic preservation and conservation, Bry embarked on a career establishing, managing, and coordinating Main Street programs in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Notable accomplishments include securing $600,000 of a $1.7 million commercial and public space project in Flora, Illinois; advising Kendallville, Indiana in securing a $2 million PreservINg Main Street grant to transform the community’s historic downtown; and providing guidance on the establishment of the Cape Girardeau Main Street program, which later earned a Great American Main Street Award and continues to be nationally and state Accredited.
“John has always been on the forefront of what’s next for historic preservation and Main Street, providing the type of strategic thinking and leadership that helps transform people and communities,” writes Steven J. Hoffman, Ph.D., Professor of History & Anthropology at Southeast Missouri State University.
In his current role as Program Coordinator at Main Steet Oakland County, Bry has played a crucial role in growing the organization’s network of members from 19 to 28. This growth includes recruiting three communities that had previously left the program. Bry’s hands-on approach to providing guidance to communities can be seen in his work with Main Street Pontiac, where he assisted in transforming the board of directors to one that reflects the community, securing sponsorships to fund their business and façade grant program, and helping the organization establish better communication with city government.
“John is the most compassionate and dedicated community development champion that I know, and it is not surprising that he is being recognized with the prestigious Mary Means Leadership Award,” said Kristi Trevarrow, Executive Director at Rochester Downtown Development Authority in Michigan. “He is a staunch supporter of our Main Street Oakland County communities, and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him for the betterment of our downtowns!”
Perhaps the most poignant example of Bry’s collaborative leadership is evidenced in his efforts to successfully change how MSOC engages with local programs from an, at times, prescriptive approach to one that is tailored to deliver services that are needed and wanted by the community. Bry also nurtures strong relationships among the program’s diverse programs and supports the professional development of local downtown managers through Main Street Now Conference scholarships.
“John’s respect of people, place history has transformed Oakland County’s Main Street program. He has refined all aspects of our county-level Coordinating Program around the unique political, social and economic context of each downtown,” says Bret Rasegan, Manager of Planning and Local Business Development at Oakland County Economic Development. “His ability to lead, find common ground and build consensus on actions provides the environment for success across Oakland County.”
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The National Main Street Center, Inc., announced Downtown Oregon City, Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency, and Howell Main Street as the 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winners during its annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri.
Main Streets in Action
We rolled out four new Main Street America videos highlighting the power of the Main Street movement, Main Street Approach, economic impact of Main Street, and the incredible volunteers that make Main Street's grassroots network so effective.
Community Spotlight: Ridgefield Main Street
Ridgefield Main Street is an energetic, up-and-coming Washington Main Street program located just north of Vancouver, Washington.
Want to do something big? Start small.
A series of small, incremental improvements, when taken together, provide momentum for long-term economic transformation and improved quality of life in a community.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: The Refresh from Our Communities’ Perspective
Here's a bit of background on each of the communities. Read on for the Refresh Implementation Q&A.
Announcing the 2017 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center, Inc. announced the 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) during its annual conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Reality of Main Street — Letter from the President
The National Main Street Center and the Brookings Institution have jointly authored a response to Mr. Hyman’s piece, The Reality of Main Street, that is featured on Brookings’ blog.
Michigan Main Street Refresh Implementation: Our Process and Lessons Learned So Far
Michigan Main Street Center was the first Coordinating Program to implement the new Main Street approach on a large scale. In this article, they share their robust process and valuable lessons.
The Reality of Main Street
There is another way for smaller communities to compete in today’s economy and we believe a strong main street strategy is at the heart of it.
The Myth of Main Street? Letter from the President
Letter from past MSA President, Patrice Frey
The Lowdown in Downtown LaBelle
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Strategic Planning Through Transformation Strategies – Saline, Michigan
Back in October 2015, we introduced the three key components of the refreshed Main Street Approach: inputs, outputs and Community Transformation Strategies.
Revitalization and Main Street Transformation
For a lucky few downtowns, greatness may happen effortlessly with a strong sense of place that seems to develop organically and simply sustain itself. For most places, success doesn’t happen by chance.
Revisit Your Community’s Unique Assets: Connecting Asset-Based Economic Development to Community Transformation Strategies
This need for change results from the heavy emphasis on three components of the refreshed Main Street Approach.
The 2016 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The 2016 winners are a diverse group in geography and character, but together demonstrate the broad applicability of the Main Street Approach:
Main Street Nation Radio
The first official show under the Main Street Nation banner aired in June 2015 on WJR-760 AM Detroit.
The Path To The Future
The economic value of historic preservation on Main Street.
Refresh Demonstration Project Sites: Learning Labs for the Updated Main Street Approach
A series of demonstration projects providing the opportunity to test new strategies on the ground, learn from practitioners, and refine the approach.
Why Business Retention and Expansion Plans are Important for Downtowns
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
Wisconsin Main Street: 27 Years of People, Places and Progress
While there have been over $1.2 billion in public and private investment in Wisconsin Main Street communities over the past 27 years, what really makes it special are the people and places that have been involved.
Pop-Up Art Tour
Main Street Bartow's empty storefronts become pop-up art galleries to promote economic development.
A Walk Through Rehoboth Beach Main Street
Although a “beach town,” Rehoboth Beach is open 365 days a year, and with that has the unique challenge of catering to both year-round residents and tourists within a wide range of ages, interests and economic levels
Independent We Stand Makes Main Streets a Priority
In communities across the country, hardworking business owners and buy local advocates come together to foster an organized effort to reinvent and revitalize Main Streets and downtown districts.
Announcing the 2015 Great American Main Street Award Winners
The National Main Street Center is pleased to announce that Cape Girardeau, Mo., Montclair Center, N.J., and Rawlins, Wyo. were selected as the 2015 Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) winners.
