The Kansas Department of Commerce announced the winners of the Main Street Awards of Excellence Thursday at the annual Kansas Downtown Symposium in Leavenworth.

Peabody Main Street Association received an Award of Excellence for its efforts in volunteer development. Jayne Timm, seven-year old granddaughter of Rick and Vickie Turner, took the Community Award for her participation in the To-Die-For Dessert Auction at Operation Celebration in May.

The symposium, which took place Oct. 21 through 23, is sponsored by the Department’s Kansas Main Street program. The annual event typically draws nearly 200 business and community leaders interested in downtown development in their communities.

The Kansas Main Street program provides management training, consultation visits, program evaluation, design assistance, business enhancement strategies, incentive dollars and training for board and committee members and program directors involved in revitalizing their city’s historic business district.

Kansas Main Street is a self-help program. Staff members provide technical assistance, but the responsibility and credit for success rests with the community leaders who offer time, expertise and enthusiasm to revitalizing downtown.

Peabody has been in the Main Street program since 1989.