May 2017
Register Now for Show Me the Money
What is necessary for the success of a downtown revitalization program? Though the answers are many and depend on location, funding is a universal need for a successful program. Show Me the Money! will bring together in one conference the Missouri departments that offer federal, state and local funding to Missouri communities.

Attendees will hear about grants, loans, tax credits and other forms of finance available for revitalization progress and have the chance to speak one-on-one with session presenters during the all-new "Open House." Special features include the "Show Me the Money RIGHT NOW" luncheon by Tom Vansaghi, Ph.D., and the 10-year economic study results presented during "The State of Downtowns in Missouri" by Donovan Rypkema. Early registration deadline is June 16. 

Three Communities Begin Revitalization Journey
Missouri Main Street welcomed three new Affiliate Grant communities at the beginning of 2017 – Pacific, Willow Springs and Knob Noster.  These communities applied for the competitive grant process identifying the need and desire to follow the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization.  All three communities have an organization that will integrate the Main Street principles and approach into their current organization’s purpose and objectives.
The Pacific Partnership is a 15-year-old organization leading the efforts to bring the community together to jump start the economic revitalization in downtown Pacific.  Located 30 miles outside of St. Louis with a population of slightly more than 7,000, Pacific has an active railroad going through downtown and is part of the historic Route 66 highway.  The downtown district has approximately 110 buildings with over 40% older than 100 years. 
In south central Missouri, the Downtown Historic District of Willow Springs is the organization to lead property owners, business owners and residents together to bring life to downtown Willow Springs.  This community of about 2,184 hosts tourists travelling to the area’s rivers and streams.  Downtown has approximately 44 buildings, with 20% over 100 years old, in the eight square blocks of the commercial district.  
The Knob Noster Revitalization Commission is the lead organization in this community of over 2,700.  Knob Noster is located an hour southeast of Kansas City on Highway 50 and is home to Whiteman Air Force Base and Knob Noster State Park.  The downtown district has 40-plus buildings with over 30% older than 100 years.  Support is provided to Knob Noster by the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation.
Through the Affiliate Grant Program, these organizations will receive services and training in their community for two years, including Main Street Four-Point Approach® principles, board roles and responsibilities, funding and fundraising, asset mapping, and specialized services based on the community and projects. 

The Affiliate Grant Program is a competitive grant for services with applications accepted three times during the year.  Please call Missouri Main Street at 417-337-3014 for application information.
MMSC Selected to Host National Conference
More than 30 Missouri Main Street delegates recently attended the Main Street Now Conference in Pittsburgh to announce our selection as host of the 2018 Main Street Now Conference in Kansas City next March.

Main Street Now is the annual conference of the National Main Street Center, a national organization that advances comprehensive downtown and commercial district revitalization, working with a coast-to-coast network of Main Street America(TM) programs.

MMSC is a Main Street America(TM) Coordinating Program for the state of Missouri. State Director, Gayla Roten announced to the audience, "We are so excited for the privilege to organize and host this national event in Kansas City and to bring thousands from across the nation to our beautiful state.  We are more than barbecue - we will surprise you!"

Photo credit: National Main Street Center 

Find more news here.
Missouri Main Street Connection | 417-334-3014 | info@momainstreet.org | momainstreet.org
Missouri Main Street Connection is a statewide, 501c3, not-for-profit organization committed to fostering renewed vitality and sustainability in historic commercial districts across the state of Missouri.