Clawson team that won the “Spirit of Main Street” Award for their video “Levels Up.” Theresa Doan (far left) represented award sponsor of $2,000 from Genisys Credit Union.
(Photo courtesy of Oakland County)
Downtown Clawson received the prestigious Spirit of Main Street Award during Main Street Oakland County’s (MSOC’s) annual Main Event awards celebration last Thursday evening at The Roxy Rochester theater in downtown Rochester, while Ortonville and Highland shone by winning in multiple categories.
The Spirit of Main Street Award — the evening’s highest honor — recognizes exceptional achievement in downtown revitalization and community engagement. Downtown Clawson earned the award and a $2,000 cash prize sponsored by Genisys Credit Union for its innovative video, “Levels Up.”
The video transforms downtown Clawson into a video game-inspired world where local business owners, volunteers, board members and visitors become characters who level up through everyday experiences that showcase the district’s welcoming atmosphere and vibrant community spirit.
“Downtowns are the heart of our communities, and the creativity and collaboration demonstrated by this year’s award winners are helping Oakland County remain one of the best places to live and visit,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners for their dedication to strengthening our downtowns.”
The Main Event recognized outstanding achievements across MSOC’s network of downtowns and commercial corridors. Forty-two nominations were submitted from 16 of the program’s 29 participating
communities.
Other award recipients included:
• Achievement in Community Character or Historic Preservation: Ortonville DDA for Ortonville Historical Audio Walking Tour — Preserving the Past Through Storytelling and Innovation
• Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Ortonville DDA for Mistletoe Marketplace — A Community-Driven Retail Innovation Fueling Downtown Ortonville’s Economic Vitality
• Community Event of the Year: Ortonville DDA for Vegucation Station Adventurers’ Club
• District Placemaking: Farmington DDA for Make-a-Wave Community Mural
• Small Business Retention and Attraction: Highland DDA for Commercial Property Open House
• Volunteer of the Year: The Illuminators — A Lake Orion Volunteer Corps for Lake Orion DDA
• Main Street Resilience: Highland DDA for Earth-'n’-Soul
• Outstanding Partnership: Highland DDA for Highland Station Boardwalk
• Main Street Leader: Deya Marchand, Main Street Pontiac
The event also featured two proclamations from the county executive. One recognized downtown Farmington as a 2026 Great American Main Street Award winner, joining downtown Ferndale (2010) and downtown Rochester (2013) as Oakland County communities to earn the national distinction. He also welcomed Keego Harbor as the 30th community to join the MSOC coordinating program.
In addition, 21 MSOC communities received Main Street America 2026 national recognition certificates. Eleven communities achieved Accredited status: Berkley, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Highland, Holly, Lake Orion, Ortonville, Oxford, Rochester and Royal Oak. Affiliate status was awarded to Auburn Hills, Clarkston, Clawson, Hazel Park, Lathrup Village, Lyon Township, Oak Park, Southfield, South Lyon and Wixom.
Attendees also learned about the new Main Street Momentum Grant, funded through a partnership between MSOC and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. The one-time grant program will provide up to $20,000 to eligible rural downtown communities to support revitalization efforts.
More than 200 community leaders, volunteers, downtown stakeholders and business partners attended the celebration.
The Main Event was sponsored by Genisys Credit Union, Oakland County Business Finance Corporation, Rochester DDA, Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, Giffels Webster, Michigan Municipal League Foundation, Michigan Downtown Association and DTE Energy.
Established in 2000, Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) is the first and only countywide Main Street Coordinating Program in the United States. For additional information, visit MainStreetOaklandCounty.com.
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