The Washington State Main Street Program has announced the 2026 winners of its annual Excellence on Main awards, and Centralia has earned two of them.
Justin Zenkner was highlighted for his volunteerism and the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) was awarded for its Outstanding Special Project.
Operated by the nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation under contract to the Washington state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Washington State Main Street Program helps communities across the state revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their downtown districts, according to a news release. Today, the Washington State Main Street Program encompasses a network of nearly 80 towns and cities across Washington.
Every year, as a cornerstone event of the annual PLACES Conference, the Washington State Main Street Program hosts the Excellence on Main awards ceremony, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond.
By celebrating these stories on a statewide platform, the Washington State Main Street Program aims to not only pay tribute to exceptional work but also to inspire and drive change in Main Street communities across the state, the news release stated.
This year’s 2026 Excellence on Main award winners were announced on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Ellensburg Lodge No. 20, during the PLACES Conference held Oct. 6-8. The evening began with a Volunteer Spotlight, celebrating individuals who demonstrated exemplary volunteer service to their communities.
Those highlighted volunteers include:
• Daniel Abrego, Kent
• Ward MacKenzie and Chris MacKenzie, Anacortes
• Marci Trask, Manson
• Nina Milligan, Langley
• Justin Zenkner, Centralia
• Dan Murphy, Bellingham
• Julie Jamieson, Ferndale
• Margaret Livermore, Oak Harbor
• Paula and Don Falkowski, Camas
Following the Volunteer Spotlight, the evening’s award winners were announced. The award winners include:
• Purposeful Promotion — Recognizing creative, effective promotional campaigns that celebrate and attract visitors and residents alike to the downtown or neighborhood commercial district — Late Night at the Liberty Theatre, Camas
• Economic Opportunity — Recognizing enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of the district including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more — Business Incubator Program, Oak Harbor
• Economic Opportunity — Recognizing enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of the district including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more — Storefront Enhancement Program, Everett
• Brick and Mortar Rehabilitation — Recognizing building owners or projects that positively impact preservation efforts — Webb Building, Kirkland
• Outstanding Special Project — Recognizing great one-time projects or activities that affect a downtown or neighborhood commercial district’s revitalization efforts — Heritage Storytelling Panel Project, Manson
• Outstanding Special Project — Recognizing great one-time projects or activities that affect a downtown or neighborhood commercial district’s revitalization efforts — Hub City Community Mural, Centralia
• Organizational Excellence — Recognizing excellence in leading an inclusive Main Street organization through broad community outreach, strong partnerships, engaging volunteer opportunities, and more that build cooperation and a shared downtown vision — Washington State University Partnership, Pullman
• Entrepreneur of the Year — Recognizing the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our entrepreneurs and small businesses — Jenn Clapp and Esam Ibrahim, Walla Walla
• Legacy on Main — Recognizing a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members — The Star Store, Langley
• Leadership on Main — Recognizing an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication to his or her local Main Street over a significant period of time — Carrie Schulstad, Camas
• The Excellence on Main — Recognizing outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Washington — Unity Park, Ellensburg
The Washington State Main Street Program applauds this year’s award winners and the impacts they have made in their communities. For photos of the award winners and of the PLACES Conference, visit http://preservewa.org/2026-places-pics.
