Brooksville Main Street Honored with Two
Prestigious Awards from the Secretary of State!
BROOKSVILLE, FL – July 21, 2025 – Brooksville Main Street is thrilled to announce it has received two prestigious awards from the Secretary of State of Florida during the recent Preservation on Main Street 2025 conference in Fernandina Beach, Florida: Distinctive Preservation Action Award and the Budget Hawk Award. These accolades highlight Brooksville Main Street's unwavering commitment to both fiscal responsibility and the preservation of Brooksville's rich heritage.
Distinctive Preservation Action Award
Brooksville Main Street was honored with the Distinctive Preservation Action Award for its exemplary Historic Preservation Design Guidelines. This key initiative was meticulously developed to provide a clear framework for maintaining and enhancing Brooksville's historic character, safeguarding the city's rich architectural heritage while fostering sustainable growth.
A collaborative effort involving the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, Brooksville Main Street, the City of Brooksville, and Dalton Studios, a historic preservation specialist, these guidelines reflect both historical integrity and the community's vision. They have been widely distributed through various platforms and educational workshops, engaging residents and property owners in applying best practices for historically sensitive renovations.
The guidelines will streamline the City of Brooksville’s review process for historic property modifications, ensuring consistency in preservation efforts. This living document ensures Brooksville’s historic charm is protected for generations to come, setting a new standard for historic preservation in the city.
Budget Hawk Award
Brooksville Main Street also received the Budget Hawk Award for the outstanding financial efficiency and resounding success of the inaugural Brooksville Tangerine Festival. The festival was a true labor of love and a vibrant celebration of the community's spirit and citrus heritage. It perfectly showcased fiscal prudence while delivering a high-impact event that gave a significant boost to the local economy.
The festival's success was a testament to amazing community collaboration. Volunteers enthusiastically harvested over 1,000 pounds of local tangerines at local grove, Wingate Farms, eliminating the need for fruit purchases and perfectly aligning with the goal of supporting agritourism. From donated event infrastructure to widespread contributions of time and labor from local businesses and civic organizations, every aspect of the festival highlighted what Brooksville can achieve when it works together. This collective effort maximized impact while keeping expenses remarkably low.
The positive impact on downtown Brooksville was undeniable. Thousands of visitors flocked to the district, leading to record-breaking sales for numerous businesses. Beyond the impressive financial results, the festival ignited a renewed sense of community pride and engagement that continues to inspire.
The Brooksville Tangerine Festival truly embodies the essence of the Budget Hawk category: achieving outstanding results with limited resources. It's a shining example of how strategic planning, grassroots involvement, and a shared vision can not only strengthen a local economy but also set a new standard for community-driven success.
Brooksville Main Street is immensely proud of these achievements, which underscores its dedication to fostering economic vitality and preserving the unique character of downtown Brooksville through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and responsible initiatives.
For more information, please visit www.welovebvl.org or www.tourbvl.com or contact the BMS office at 352-540-6409
