MDA Annual Awards

2023 Best Redevelopment Project
1855 Holdings, Downtown South Lyon


 
MDA 9th Annual Awards

The Michigan Downtown Association is asking for nominations for its ninth annual MDA Awards. Winners will receive their awards during the MDA's Annual Statewide Michigan Downtowns Conference, held November 6-7, 2025, in Downtown Rochester.  The deadline for award nominations is Tuesday, September 9, 2025.  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 2024 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 2024.
 
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 the MDA Annual Spring Workshop, March 2025

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

Destination Business Grant Program
 
The MDA is proud to announce a new Grant Program sponsored by GD Placemaking.  MDA member communities can nominate a small business located within a traditional downtown to receive one of 3 grants.Each small business will receive Jon Shallert's 8-week Destination Creation Course, 10 months of direct technical assistance, and more. The deadline to submit the nominations is Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Complete details can be found here.