Branson/Tri-Lakes News: Communities report progress on revitalization efforts

The Main Street organization teaches its member communities methods for downtown revitalization, according to a news release.

Members typically have populations under 10,000; current members are Branson, Cape Girardeau, Chillicothe, Clinton, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Louisiana, Nevada, Ozark, Sikeston, Warrensburg, Warsaw and Washington.

According to data collected in the first half of the year, participating communities had $4.5 million in private investments for façade improvements and building rehabilitation projects; $79,231 invested in public infrastructure improvements; 34 net new businesses; and 97 net new jobs, the release said.

“We are continuing to see advancements in every town that uses Main Street methods to revitalize their downtowns,” organization director Gayla Roten said in the release.

“These are impressive numbers considering that the population of each community is generally under 10,000,” she added.

Coming events

The Main Street organization offers training and workshops to its members and the public to faciliate downtown revitalization. Upcoming events include a fund-raising conference Oct. 22–23 in Warrensburg that will cover grant opportunities and methods for raising local funds, and a conference Oct. 29–30 in Jefferson City that covers the steps to forming a nonprofit 501(c)3 revitalization organization.

Both October conferences are open to the public, but Main Street Connection members can attend for half-price. To register for a conference or become a member, call (417) 334-3014 or e-mail momainstreet@aol.com.

This story originally appeared in SBJ’s Sept. 4 free e-news Daily Update. Click here to register.