The Townie Awards were accepted by (respectively) Greater Easton Development Partnership Board President Ed Shaughnessy, Easton Main Street Initiative Manager Kim Kmetz, GEDP Executive Director Jared Mast and Easton Main Street Initiative Assistant Manager Amy Boccadoro.

The Easton Main Street Initiative has won two statewide awards in recognition of its community revitalization efforts.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) bestowed two of its 12 Townie Awards this year to the Easton Main Street Initiative and its volunteers, which bested a crowd of nearly 200 community revitalization programs that were eligible to apply.

“We are a grassroots organization, and owe a lot of our success to our passionate and dedicated volunteers,” said Easton Main Street Initiative Manager Kim Kmetz, which is a subsidiary of the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP).

“I’m thrilled that the PDC recognized Ed’s years of hard work, as well as the work of all the volunteers who put their energy and enthusiasm into Spring into Easton, and all our other projects throughout the year,” Kmetz said.

The Easton initiative received a Promotion & Marketing Award in Retail Promotions for its annual “Spring into Easton” event. Held each April, Spring into Easton pairs restaurants and boutiques in Downtown Easton for an event that highlights both the retail and food sectors of the city.

Ed Shaughnessy, of Easton, was also awarded with the Volunteer of the Year award for the state, on behalf of Easton Main Street Initiative. Shaughnessy is an Easton Area High School grad heading into his seventh year on the GEDP board of directors, and his first as president.

“Each year we look forward to the Townie Awards presentation for its ability to excite and inspire our members to continue their community revitalization efforts,” said PDC Executive Director Bill Fontana. “Our member communities work tirelessly to improve their cities and towns, and we love having the opportunity to applaud them for their efforts.”

PDC also recognized Easton Main Street Initiative as the No. 1 Main Street performing program in the state for the a third consecutive year.

The Townie Awards were designed by PDC to recognize the commonwealth’s core communities and individuals for creation and implementation of projects, programs and events that exemplify the goals of PDC’s community revitalization mission.

This year’s Townie Awards ceremony was held last month in West Chester, Pa.

The Easton Main Street Initiative’s mission is to promote, encourage, and enhance the economic strength and vitality of Easton’s central business district through volunteer and community driven efforts.

GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on nurturing Easton’s economic well-being and cultural vibrancy. It oversees Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, Easton Ambassadors and PA Bacon Fest.

Shaughnessy has initiated and organized several fundraisers for GEDP and coordinated the merchandise and gate volunteers for the PA Bacon Fest, according to the initiative. To boost publicity of Easton Farmers’ Market, he stored, delivered, and set up A-frame signs around Easton – every Saturday for three years, during the market’s season.

Outside of GEDP, Shaughnessy helps to organize the Lehigh Valley Wine Gala to raise thousands for the Children’s Home of Easton and Sigal Museum, bought a “Little Free Library” to donate free books outside his Shaughnessy Law Office in Easton, and helped to organize a Plein Air Art Contest in Easton. He also gives up his Christmas to play Santa for those in need.