Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
On Monday, March 18, Amanda Hegland and Andrew Presnell attended a reception at N.D. Governor Doug Burgum's residence where they received their Main Street Excellence award. Here, they are pictured with N.D. Governor Doug Burgum (left) and N.D. Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller (right). Courtesy photo.
The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) continues to be recognized for their efforts to support the community of New Rockford.
Their latest acknowledgment comes from the Governor of North Dakota himself, who has chosen the NRABC as this year's recipient of the prestigious Main Street Excellence Award.
Every year, the Governor awards the Main Street Excellence Award to one rural and one urban community or "community champions" in North Dakota, whose efforts embody the four pillars of the Main Street Initiative.
Those four pillars are smart, efficient infrastructure; 21st century workforce; economic diversification and healthy, vibrant communities.
"The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation has built and continuously strived for an economically and socially thriving society that serves the community and future generations," said Maria Effertz, Director of the Division of Community Services with the N.D. Dept. of Commerce in an email notifying the NRABC of their award.
"Thank you for your outstanding contributions and for being an inspiration to us all."
Amanda Hegland, director of the NRABC, said the award recognizes all the efforts they've made over the years to better the New Rockford community.
"I think it also recognizes our great leaders New Rockford and the NRABC has," she added. "They are progressive, proactive and innovative, which is so important to keep a community moving forward."
In recognition for their achievement, Hegland and Andrew Presnell represented the NRABC at a reception in the governor's residence on Monday, March 18, which was held in honor of all the 2023 Main Street Award winners.
"The Main Street Awards are an excellent opportunity to express gratitude and recognition to North Dakotans who demonstrated a unique and innovative approach in enhancing the quality of life in their community by applying the principles of the Main Street Initiative," Burgum said.
"These exemplary efforts showcase the tangible benefits that an engaged community can create for everyone."
Organizations like the NRABC are particularly important for rural communities, which often struggle to retain the important businesses and activities that hold a small community together.
With their efforts to support several integral community businesses, such as the bowling alley, fitness center, theatre and childcare center, there's no doubt the NRABC embodies the governor's Main Street Initiative.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by New Rockford residents, and now even the Governor has recognized the important work being done to continue boosting the New Rockford community.
Hegland said, "The NRABC is unique and innovative because we're proactive, think outside of the box, are risk takers who are courageous and brave to try new things, and have great relationships with many groups and organizations that we are able to collaborate and brainstorm ways to create and envision the vibrant, inclusive community we want to live in and raise our future generations in."
