The York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) is proud to celebrate three York County organizations recognized with prestigious 2026 Townie Awards by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) during its annual statewide conference, Making Waves on Main Street | Big Bold Ideas That Push the Boundaries, held in Erie from June 23-26.
York County’s award recipients captured three statewide honors, including a remarkable sweep of the Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity category, with both Downtown Inc and Main Street Hanover earning top recognition for their innovative storytelling and community branding campaigns. Together, the awards highlight the strength of downtown revitalization efforts taking place throughout York County and the collaborative partnerships driving investment, placemaking, and economic growth.
Presented annually, the Townie Awards recognize Pennsylvania’s most innovative downtown revitalization projects, marketing campaigns, placemaking initiatives, and organizational excellence among nearly 200 Main Street and Elm Street communities across the Commonwealth. This year’s conference welcomed more than 300 downtown professionals, municipal leaders, and community development practitioners from across Pennsylvania.
York County’s 2026 Townie Award winners include:
Downtown Inc – Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity for “Why York – Imagine the Possibilities,” an innovative campaign that markets vacant downtown properties as investment opportunities while telling the larger story of Downtown York’s momentum, investment potential, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Main Street Hanover – Promotions & Marketing: General Image & Identity for its Explore Downtown Hanover Marketing Campaign, recognizing an exceptional effort to promote downtown Hanover as a vibrant destination for residents, visitors, businesses, and investors.
Franklin Street Social – Asset Enhancement for the transformation of a long-vacant Red Lion property into a thriving food hall and community gathering space that has become a destination for dining, entrepreneurship, and community connection.
“This recognition is a tremendous point of pride—not just for the award recipients, but for York County as a whole,” said Sarah O’Brien, Director of Downtown Inc. “To have York County communities earn three statewide awards and sweep one of the conference’s most competitive marketing categories speaks volumes about the creativity, collaboration, and bold thinking happening here every day. These projects didn’t happen because of one organization or one individual. They happened because of extraordinary partnerships between municipalities, businesses, developers, volunteers, nonprofits, and community leaders who all believe in the future of our downtowns.”
Moriah Tyler, Executive Director of Main Street Hanover, reflected on Hanover’s recognition, “This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the incredible collaboration, creativity, and dedication that exists throughout our downtown community. The success of this project would not have been possible without the support of our local businesses, community partners, volunteers, and the team members who helped bring Hanover’s story to life. We are grateful to be recognized alongside so many outstanding Main Street and Elm Street communities across Pennsylvania.”
Jordan Illys, one of the visionaries behind Franklin Street Social, said the statewide recognition is especially meaningful given the ambition of the project, “The success of Franklin Street Social would not have been possible without the support of our local businesses, community partners, volunteers, investors, and the many team members who helped bring this vision to life. This was one of the most ambitious and creative projects I’ve ever had the privilege to be part of. We took a tremendous risk to create something that now serves thousands of people—from the incredible restaurants that call Franklin Street Social home to the customers who gather there every day. Being recognized with a Townie Award means more than most people will ever know, and we’re incredibly grateful.”
Kevin Schreiber, President & CEO of the York County Economic Alliance, said the statewide recognition reflects years of strategic collaboration across York County, “York County continues to prove that investing in our downtowns is investing in our communities. These awards demonstrate what is possible when local governments, nonprofit organizations, developers, entrepreneurs, and community champions work toward a shared vision. We’re incredibly proud of Downtown Inc, Main Street Hanover, and the Franklin Street Social team for earning statewide recognition while showcasing York County as a leader in revitalization.”
The Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s annual Townie Awards recognize outstanding projects and leadership that advance the revitalization of Pennsylvania’s downtowns and neighborhood business districts. Founded in 1987, the organization serves nearly 200 member communities across the Commonwealth and promotes economic vitality, quality of life, and sense of place through community revitalization.
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