The Downtown Bozeman Partnership presented three awards at the 9th Annual Downtown Breakfast held Thursday, June 12, 2014 at the Baxter Hotel.  
The awards included the Downtown Cornerstone Award, the Downtown Community Award and the “Life is Downtown” Award.  The nominees and recipient for each award were selected by the Downtown Bozeman Association board, Business Improvement District board and Tax Increment Finance board.

The Downtown Cornerstone Award recognizes a business that serves as an anchor to the downtown community not only economically, but socially, culturally and civically.  The business has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to downtown by sponsoring downtown events, supporting the member organizations of the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, while being an exemplary business leader.

Previous recipients include: Rockin’ R Bar (2013), The Leaf & Bean (2012), Insty-Prints (2011), Heeb’s Grocery (2010), Owenhouse Ace Hardware (2009) and First Security Bank (2008). The 2014 Downtown Cornerstone nominees were the Country Bookshelf, MacKenzie River Pizza, Nova Cafe and Schnee’s Boots and Shoes. The 2014 recipient of the Downtown Cornerstone Award is the Country Bookshelf.  Ariana Paliobagis accepted the award as the owner of the Country Bookshelf.

Babs Noelle, DBA President, presented the award saying, “The Country Bookshelf has been located in its current location since 1986. The Country Bookshelf epitomizes the very essence of Downtown Bozeman: independent, local, unique, resilient and loved by so many. We all owe the Country Bookshelf a debt of gratitude for being an anchor on Main Street—a downtown cornerstone—for nearly 30 years.”

The Downtown Community Award acknowledges a business or organization that has provided exemplary support of downtown Bozeman.  This entity recognizes that the city of Bozeman and the entire Gallatin Valley benefits from a thriving downtown, and therefore, they have assisted the Downtown Bozeman Partnership in its efforts to promote and enhance the community’s historic core.  

Previous recipients include: Town Square Media (2013), Bozeman Daily Chronicle (2012), Bozeman Food Co-op (2011), City of Bozeman (2010), Montana State University (2009) and Kenyon Noble (2008). The 2014 Downtown Community nominees were Bridger Bowl, First Interstate Bank, Gallatin Art Crossing and Sweet Pea Festival. The 2014 recipient of the Downtown Community Award is First Interstate Bank.  Scott Levandowski, Bozeman Market President, accepted the award on behalf of First Interstate Bank.

Chris Naumann, the Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director, presented the award and said, “In 2004, First Interstate Bank made a large investment in downtown by opening their branch at the corner of Grand and Main Street. First Interstate Bank has over 70 employees in the Gallatin Valley and 27 of those employees work at their downtown branch. We are thankful for First Interstate Bank’s support each and every year.”

The “Life is Downtown” Award honors a person who has given a veritable lifetime of service to downtown Bozeman.  The recipient has exceeded the expectations of the community in their generous support downtown.  This person has devoted considerable time and effort to the betterment of the downtown community by volunteering for special events, serving as a downtown board member, and playing a leadership role in downtown initiatives.  

Previous recipients include: Bobby Bear (2013), Larry Bowman (2012), Bert Hopeman (2011), Chris Pope (2010), Steve Schnee (2009) and Bob Paynich (2008). The 2013 “Life is Downtown” nominees were Mike Hope, Ileana Indreland, Babs Noelle and Rob Pertzborn. The 2014 recipient of the “Life is Downtown” Award is Ileana Indreland.

    Chris Naumann, the Downtown Partnership’s Executive Director, presented the award and said, “Ileana’s commitment to downtown spans 25 years. She has served on the Business Improvement District Board since its inception in 2000. Perhaps more importantly Ileana has been developing property along Main Street since 1988. As a board member, developer and property owner, Ileana has epitomized that Life is Downtown.”