MDA Annual Awards

MDA 9th Annual Awards

The Michigan Downtown Association is asking for nominations for its tenth annual MDA Awards. Winners will receive their awards during the MDA's Annual Statewide Michigan Downtowns Conference, held November 5-6, 2026, in Downtown Kalamazoo.  The deadline for award nominations is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.  Email nominations to director@michigandowntowns.com with "MDA Award Nominations" in the subject or post- marked letters sent to Michigan Downtown Association, P.O. Box 3591, North Branch, MI 48461.
 
There are three categories for awards:
Downtown Projects, Downtown Organization of the Year, Downtown Director of the Year
 
Downtown Projects can fall into any of the following categories. Nominated projects can be completed by a downtown organization, city, or private developer within a member community and will be evaluated for their impact on downtown and on the community.
 

• Placemaking
• Promotions & Marketing
• Redevelopment Project
• Infrastructure/Streetscape
• Historic Preservation

Downtown Organization of the Year is an award given to an MDA member organization whose economic development impact was exemplary in the year 2025 through their organization and execution of a project(s).
 
Downtown Director of the Year is an award given to a Downtown Director from a MDA member community whose leadership was exemplary in the year 2025.
 
Award recipients will receive:

• Shareable social media images produced by New Moon Visions announcing receipt of organization/community/developer’s award
• Proclamation sent to community’s municipality announcing receipt of organization/community/developer’s award
• Template of a press release announcing receipt of organization/community/developer’s award
• Opportunity to present project, with other award recipients, during a future MDA event or webinar

Please click here for more information and for the Annual Awards' application forms.