Carla Steele Recognized as Main Street Champion

Carla Steele was recognized as a NC Main Street Champion by the NC Main Street and Rural Planning Center at the NC Main Street Conference, held in Goldsboro, NC, in March 2024.

“We are so pleased to recognize the people that are making a difference in Main Street communities,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center. “Main Street Champions come from all walks of life, but they share common traits. They roll up their sleeves, invest time and money in their communities, and lead by example.”

A Downtown business and property owner, Steele served as the treasurer of the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation Board of Directors for fourteen years. Her knowledge, expertise, and professionalism have guided the organization through lean years and years of advancement, property acquisition and sale, and many changes in processes and standards, to grow and sustain a financially sound organization.  She is the epitome of a committed Board Member. 

Early in her tenure as treasurer, she was the catalyst for by-law changes to give the Board of Directors more continuity and make it easier to maintain its high standards. In 2022, she made the decision to move on to other endeavors. However, Steele cared so much about the future of downtown that she has remained available to educate her successor, give gentle reminders, and answer frequent questions. Her contribution to Downtown Statesville has been invaluable and the organization has been incredibly fortunate to have someone of her professional caliber for so long.

Brittany Marlow, Executive Director of DSDC remarks “Carla’s service to our organization and our Downtown gave us great stability and set the bar high for the way the organization has been run, even after her departure.  Her long-term commitment to DSDC is incredibly appreciated.”

For her unwavering and long­ term passion and commitment to Downtown Statesville, the organization is honored to have recognized Carla Steele as its 2023 North Carolina Main Street Champion.

Watch The Recognition Video