Ken Nowlin’s accomplishments recognized by Modern Woodmen

Businessman Ken Nowlin’s full scale renovation of downtown Ecru, Mississippi, has been honored by a prestigious award from Modern Woodmen of America.

The award presentation says:

“Modern Woodmen is proud to be able to recognize Ken Nowlin as our Home Town Hero.

“Ken has taken our small town that was fallen off the grid and bring it back to life…restoring older historic businesses..and filling downtown with old and new businesses..Thank you for making our small town come back to life.”

During recent years, Nowlin has bought up most of the commercial structures in downtown Ecru. He has renovated most. Those that were beyond being saved, have been torn down and replaced by architect-designed structures that fit in with the rest of the early 20th century buildings that face Ecru’s broad main street.

Unique and high-end tenants have been recruited to operate in those structures, making Ecru among the most attractive of small town business districts anywhere.

Nowlin operates commercial real estate and farming operations in Union and Pontotoc Counties. A few years ago he acquired a run-down 60-70 year old strip center at the intersection of Bankhead St. and Central Ave in downtown New Albany. He gutted the old buildings and upgraded the plumbing and electrical systems, interiors and exteriors. The New Albany facility already has several upscale tenants and more will open there in the near future.