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A tour of Wooster’s upcoming 2026 developments, highlighting key locations.
Main Street Wooster is launching two new annual awards to celebrate collaboration and entrepreneurship in downtown Wooster.
The Downtown Wooster Merchant Collaboration of the Year Award and the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be presented Jan. 30 during Main Street Wooster’s annual meeting, according to a community announcement. Nominations for both awards are open now through Jan. 4.
Collaboration award highlights partnerships
The Merchant Collaboration of the Year Award will recognize two or more locally owned, brick-and-mortar businesses that team up to plan and execute a joint promotion in 2025, according to the announcement. The winning collaboration will receive a $1,000 advertisement to promote the participating businesses.
Entrepreneur award offers $10,000 prize
The Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, co-sponsored by the City of Wooster, will honor a newer business that has made a positive impact on downtown. Eligible businesses must have established a sustained presence downtown within their first five years of operation and exemplify strong alignment with community values and long-term downtown goals.
The winner will receive cash and consulting valued at more than $10,000, as well as an advisory meeting with the City of Wooster Development Manager.
“These awards are about more than business success,” Shannon Waller, executive director of Main Street Wooster, said in the announcement. “They recognize the people and partnerships that help make Downtown Wooster a place where businesses collaborate, entrepreneurs grow, and the community thrives.”
Businesses are encouraged to nominate themselves.
“They know better than anyone how much work goes into any success,” Waller said.
Design Awards to recognize downtown renovations
Main Street Wooster will also present its traditional Design Awards for 2025 renovations. Categories include Best Exterior, Best Exterior, People’s Choice and Executive’s Choice. The awards are designed by Artfind Tile.
“There is a camaraderie among the winners who have invested in making our downtown more beautiful,” Waller said.
Annual meeting tickets and award nomination links are available at MainStreetWooster.org.
The awards and Main Street Wooster’s annual meeting are made possible through the generous support of local sponsors. Bogner Construction serves as the lead dponsor, with supporting sponsorship provided by Wooster Color Point; Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston; Woo and WayCo for the Locals Podcast; and Pat & Patty Neyhart.
This story was created by Jane Imbody, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
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