ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDNews) — Downtown Enterprise took center stage this week as community leaders from across Alabama gathered in the city for Main Street Alabama’s 2026 Summit of Excellence.
The three-day summit, held Aug. 19-21, brought together Main Street Alabama’s designated and network communities for educational sessions, training and networking. Visitors also had a chance to explore Downtown Enterprise businesses, restaurants, public spaces and Main Street initiatives.
The summit included the 13th annual Main Street Alabama Awards of Excellence Banquet, where Main Street Enterprise received two Awards of Excellence.
The organization received the Public Space Improvements Award for its Lighting Revitalization Project and the Business Promotion Award for Girls Night Out Benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness.
The lighting project was recognized for improvements aimed at making the downtown district more inviting for residents, visitors and businesses.
Girls Night Out was honored for promoting downtown businesses while bringing the community together in support of breast cancer awareness.
“Hosting this year’s Main Street Alabama Summit was an incredible opportunity to show communities from across Alabama what makes Downtown Enterprise so special and unique,” said Lily McDaniel, executive director of Main Street Enterprise. “What makes our downtown truly special is the people who pour into the heart of our community every day through their time, their talents and their businesses. From our business owners and volunteers to our community partners and residents, there are so many people who believe in downtown and give of themselves to make it better. We were proud to have the opportunity to showcase not just our downtown, but the people who make it what it is.”
Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper said the awards reflect the progress Main Street Enterprise has made and the work behind the continued growth of downtown.
“Main Street Enterprise has come a long way, and it is exciting to see how that progress continues to shape our downtown,” Cooper said. “From the new lights throughout the downtown district to the special events planned and coordinated to bring people downtown, these efforts take people who truly care about our city. From our staff and volunteers to our business owners and visitors, everyone has a role in helping make Enterprise shine. As mayor, it is an honor to see so many people coming together to support our downtown and our community.”
Main Street Enterprise also selected Regena Lacey as its 2026 Main Street Hero.
Each local Main Street program selects a Main Street Hero to recognize an individual, business or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the local program. Lacey was honored for her work and positive impact on Main Street Enterprise and the Enterprise community.
Lacey and other Main Street Heroes were recognized during a Toast to Heroes Reception before the awards banquet.
“Last night was a wonderful reminder of why this work matters,” said Main Street Alabama President and State Coordinator Mary Helmer Wirth. “It is an honor for me to present the awards and seeing the pride each community has in its Main Street district was truly inspiring. Our local Main Street programs are doing meaningful work across Alabama, and the Main Street Four-Point Approach continues to help communities build on what makes them special while preserving the places that tell their story.”
The latest honors add to previous statewide recognition Main Street Enterprise has received for downtown projects, promotions and community members involved in revitalization efforts.
Main Street Alabama is a nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing commercial districts through public-private partnerships and community involvement.
According to the organization, Alabama has 36 designated Main Street communities and 34 network communities. Since 2014, those communities have generated more than $1.3 billion in public and private investment and more than 4,500 net new jobs.
