Natchez has four new awards to prove it has one of the best downtowns in the state.

The Mississippi Main Street Association presented awards Monday to individuals, municipalities and businesses throughout the state based on projects, renovations and events tied to Main Street activities.

The Natchez Downtown Development Association is part of the Mississippi Main Street Association.

Natchez and Port Gibson tied for the most awards this year.

Natchez’s awards included:

n Outstanding Main Street Merchant of the Year – Darby’s Gifts and Accessories, owned by Dennis and Darby Short.

n Outstanding Historic Rehabilitation Design Project – The Brown Company, owned by Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown. The company is located in a Main Street building.

n Outstanding Design Facade Rehabilitation over $5,000 – Brown Barnett Dixon, owned by Patty and Katherine Killelea.

n Outstanding Downtown Public Improvement Project – Main Street Marketplace. The open-air farmer’s market, which just opened last month, is a partnership of the city, Alcorn State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NDDA Director Tammi Mullins said this was the first year Natchez submitted nominations for awards.

&uot;I think we’re doing a good job, and we’re doing it in a historically correct way,&uot; Mullins said. &uot;We’re not just rehabilitating. We’re doing it to look to the future but hold on to the past.&uot;

Mullins said the awards will also bring more attention throughout the state to Natchez’s downtown efforts.