First Annual Commerce Excellence on Main Street Awards Presented in Glasgow

Four awardees were honored in Glasgow today for their downtown revitalization efforts at the first Montana Department of Commerce Excellence on Main Street Awards. (L-R): Commerce Montana Main Street Coordinator Micky Zurcher; Bear Paw Development Corporation Community Planning Director Sara Strissel; City of Boulder Councilwoman Pat Lewis; Thompson Falls Main Street President Kayla Mosher; The Enchanted Room Owner Lisa Kelly; and Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. Photo credit: Sean R. Heavey.

The first annual Excellence on Main Street Award winners were honored at a ceremony in Glasgow on April 30. Montana Department of Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio joined Montana Main Street Coordinator Micky Zurcher to present the awards at the Downtown and Main Street Conference.

Bertoglio said, “With the Excellence on Main Street Awards, the Montana Main Street Program continues to promote local efforts to preserve and renew historic Main Streets. These award recipients are actively preserving and restoring downtown economies and historic districts through preservation-based economic development.”

Nominations from MMS coordinating programs recognized the Best Event, the Best Education Project or Activity, an Outstanding Local Coordinating Program and Small Business of the Year.

Best Event — Downtown Placemaking Award

This award recognizes an exemplary historic preservation/interpretation, facade, rehabilitation or placemaking project. The winner, Havre Beneath the Streets, used a blend of state funds and local contributions to complete a sidewalk repair to preserve the community’s historical attraction and make it fully accessible and structurally sound. Key partners included the City of Havre, Bear Paw Development Corporation, CT Smith Enterprise and Siemens Engineering, Havre Beneath the Streets and Commerce. Sara Strissel, Bear Paw Development Corporation’s director of community planning, accepted the award.

Best Education Project or Activity — Downtown Community Award

This award recognizes excellence in downtown events or promotions. The City of Boulder nominated its annual Christmas Parade and Lighting Celebration, held on Dec. 5, 2025, in Veterans’ Park. The event, sponsored by the City of Boulder, capitalized on main street business participation and partnerships, including the Elkhorn Bistro, the Sweet Spot and L&P Grocery. The resulting impact of this occasion was immediate and very favorable. Pat Lewis, City of Boulder councilwoman, accepted the award.

Outstanding Local Coordinating Program

The Thompson Falls Main Street Coordinating Program is led by dedicated volunteers who spearhead events such as David Thompson Days, Beautification Days and Christmas on Main Street. Thompson Falls Main Street informs its work through its downtown master plan, wayfinding plan and branding plan. The group received MMS funding for a wayfinding plan and a Black Bear Inn preliminary engineering report, totaling $47,000 in Main Street grants and leveraging $11,000 more in community contributions. Kayla Mosher, Thompson Falls Main Street president, accepted the award.

Small Business of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding locally owned downtown business. Nationally recognized quilt shop and gift boutique The Enchanted Room in downtown Glendive has served eastern Montana since 1995. Owner Lisa Kelly and her team guide, inspire and cheer on makers of every skill level; the store’s annual quilt show creates an outstanding visual experience for participants and travelers. The Enchanted Room has transformed downtown Glendive into a vibrant retail destination through beautification and entrepreneurial vision. Lisa Kelly, owner of The Enchanted Room, accepted the award.

Commerce’s MMS Program consists of 38 member communities across Montana. As a Main Street America coordinating program, MMS is part of a grassroots network committed to promoting local main streets, creating high-quality spaces and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

For more information about the MMS Program, visit commerce.mt.gov.