Aledo Main Street

The 4^th Annual Aledo Main Street Scholarship was awarded
Wednesday, May 15^th at the Mercer County High School.

The mission of Aledo Main Street is to honor and preserve our past by continuing to improve the appearance, promote and revitalize Aledo’s central business district through teamwork, promotions and marketing.   This scholarship was therefore created for two reasons.  To promote doing businesses in our community by encouraging people to shop locally and secondly, to assist local students in furthering their education as Main Street understands that the youth of our community are our future. Tonight, Aledo Main Street will award 2 - $600 Scholarships to the top 2 vote getters.

A total of 20 Mercer County High School Seniors applied for this scholarship.  Shoppers who spent money at our local participating businesses were encouraged to vote for their favorite MCHS Senior.  In general, each dollar the shopper spent equated to 1 vote for the student of choice, so $20 spent meant 20 votes for their favorite student.  You might find it interesting to know that within the 24 participating businesses nearly 113,000 votes were cast.  

Here are quotes from essays on “Why do you think it’s important to have a downtown that is active, thriving & progressing?” First, “Downtown provides that all-important first impression of the community that answers the questions “Is this a place I’d want live, a place my employees would want to live.  Would I like to hang out here and show off to friends and family?”  And from the other recipient “I’ve realized that growing up in a small town has greatly impacted my life in a positive way.  Giving me opportunities to participate in many community event that bring us all together as one, and allow us to support each other and our town.” 

It is my honor to announce the 2013 Aledo Main Street Scholarship recipients are Carson Hank & Jorden Ruh.  

  

This Scholarship was sponsored by:
Aledo Main Street, Richard Lee, CPA, Knox Heating & Cooling, Ltd.,     LaBelliVie Wine & Martini Bar, Wagner Pharmacy, PC Works, Stuts Drug & Hallmark, Cooper Floor Covering, Aledo Meat Market, McKnight Pharmacy, Hyett Furniture, BankOrion, The Vintage Button, Boney’s Farm Store, Blessed By Nature, Goldsmith Jewelers, Cokel’s Welding & Muffler Repair, Aledo Pawn & Gun, Curves For Women, Country Financial Agents: Tracy Bigham, Lou Sutton & John Waugh, Rush’s Maytag, Shirt Tales & Blackhawk Bank & Trust.  

Aledo Main Street was designated an Illinois Premier Main Street Program in 2007 - 2009 with plans to pursue the designation again in 2010. Premier Communities are mature Main Street programs that serve as a model to those just beginning the downtown revitalization process. 

Aledo was originally designated an Illinois Main Street Community in 2002. A designated program has met the National requirements and is successfully applying the Main Street Approach in their communities.  Designated programs receive a full range of services from Illinois Main Street.  To request design assistance from Illinois Main Street Architectural Services, complete this form and return to the Aledo Main Street office.