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2019 Award of Merit - Best Innovation
Elkin, NC
With the creation of the Explore Elkin program, people can no longer say that that there is “nothing” to do in Elkin.
Explore Elkin began as a grassroots effort in 2017 to get people involved in the downtown community. Since its inception, Explore Elkin has grown into a larger initiative that plans specific events in the downtown, issues marketing campaigns, and maintains “Elkin Explorer” memberships. The memberships provide funding for community activities and encourage local investment. Events include activities such as concerts, comedy shows and block parties.
The Explore Elkin project deliberately focuses on the positive and attractive elements of the downtown. It has successfully inspired local and regional enthusiasm and boosted economic activity in the town. More than $70,000 in membership funds have been raised since 2017. Further, the town has leveraged an additional $200,700 in corporate sponsorships for events.
Explore Elkin is an innovative model about ways to encourage enthusiasm and investment within the community.
Congratulations to this Small Town Main Street community for its 2019 award.
In the category of Organization, Best Innovation recognizes worthy examples of innovation in a Main Street community.
An Award of Merit is presented to Explore Elkin, CAVU Marketing, Town of Elkin, Creative Economic Development Consulting for Explore Elkin