Testimonials From Participating Communities
Monett, Affiliate Main Street Community
"Monett recognized that revitalizing downtown was going to take a structured, incremental approach and we believed that the Main Street Four-Point Approach could make it happen. We applied for assistance through the MMSC's Affiliate Grant program and we've already accomplished several goals in our first year. We had a successful community kick-off meeting that immediately led to the formation of our four committees with several volunteers, we incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, elected officers, adopted work plans and approved a budget. But most importantly, it gave us access to experts from the national and state Main Street programs which led to our successful Hispanic Outreach Initiative. This initiative has allowed us to build a bridge to a vibrant, growing part of our community and develop partnerships that will benefit downtown for years to come."
Dennis Pyle, City Administrator
Monett, Affiliate Main Street Community
Blue Springs Downtown Alive!, Associate Main Street Community
"Thanks to the training and assistance the Missouri Main Street Program has given to our Downtown Alive group, we are implementing a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization following the Four Point Plan. MMSC helped us host a downtown meeting to get citizen and business feedback and helped Downtown Alive gauge community support. From there, we have formed our four groups, developed our work plans, enlisted volunteers and we are raising funds. We have been successful thanks to MMSC's ground-up approach to revitalization. An important part of our Downtown Alive work plan has been to create successful downtown events that generate awareness, bring people downtown and generate funds for us to operate with.
Following MMSC's guidance, we have elected our Board of Directors and Officers, we have installed our bylaws, approved our code of conduct policies and adopted our proposed budget. We are currently in the process of becoming an incorporated non-profit organization and have retained a CPA to administer our budget.
A part of a continuing success of our downtown revitalization program is following MMSC's Best Practices suggested funding sources guidelines. Using that structure, we recently received a favorable vote from our City Council for the commitment of funding for the next two fiscal years. We also are working with City Staff so that our downtown district will receive substantial Community Development Block Grant funds for facade improvements.
In looking back, this is amazing progress in my opinion, especially when you consider the fact that we were awarded the Affiliate Grant by MMSC less than one year ago. Our first anniversary date is in July! Over the past 13 years that I have worked in our downtown district, there have been several groups that tried to revitalize, change, improve downtown and these groups were never successful. Despite their efforts, the formula for success just wasn't there. The formula provided by MMSC is structure which is one of the most positive aspects about MMSC. Their approach provides the structure that enables a group of people to work together. Structure is the key to the success of any project and MMSC has the program that provides just that."
Cindy Miller, President
Blue Springs Downtown Alive!, Blue Springs, MO; Associate Main Street Community
Old Town Cape, Cape Girardeau, Accredited Main Street Community
"Without MO Main Street we never would have been recognized as one of the best downtowns in the nation. Over the past ten years Missouri Main Street Connection has helped us focus and learn best practices needed to implement a successful downtown revitalization plan. The resources they provide have been invaluable to us, and having them as a partner makes us a better program."
Marla Mills, Executive Director
Old Town Cape, Cape Girardeau, MO; Accredited Main Street Community