FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. – On Thursday, January 27, Curtis Holleman was honored as a 2010 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Shelby, N.C. Holleman was selected for this special recognition by Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 33 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating his designation, presented by N.C. Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll, Assistant Secretary for Community Development Henry C. McKoy, Jr. and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

Each of the state’s active Main Street programs is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion. The dedication and hard work of countless volunteers is required to make a local Main Street program successful, and the Main Street Champion designation acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of those persons who have played pivotal roles in the revitalization of their downtowns.

"Main Street Champions are those individuals in our communities who step out in front, lead by example, defend and support our downtown vision and mission, and advocate for change," said Parham. "They are board members and volunteers, elected officials and government staff, business leaders, property owners and citizens who care. We celebrate these extraordinary individuals and thank them for their dedication," she said.

In recommending Holleman for this honor, Fuquay-Varina Downtown Revitalization Association offered the following:

Curtis Holleman has worked as a pharmacist at Elliotts Pharmacy on Main Street since 1972 and has owned the business since 1989. Curtis was key to Fuquay-Varina’s selection as a North Carolina Main Street community in 2006, and he continues to be a tremendous supporter of the program.

When Fuquay-Varina Downtown Revitalization Association implemented a new façade grant program, some property owners were reluctant to participate. But Curtis, who leads by example, knows how to bring people together to reach a common goal. Without him, Fuquay-Varina Downtown Revitalization Association would not have been able to update twenty-two properties in the downtown districts.

The respect that Curtis has in the community and the relationships that he has forged throughout the years were the catalyst for property owners coming on board with the project.

In appreciation for all he has done to make downtown better, Fuquay-Varina Downtown Revitalization Association is proud to honor Curtis Holleman as our 2010 N.C. Main Street Champion.

Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. The North Carolina Main Street program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance.

In 1980, North Carolina was one of six original states, selected from 38 that applied, to launch the work of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center. The North Carolina Main Street program began with five participating cities – New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro and Washington – in September 1980 and has since grown to include 61 communities across the state.