Compiled by Sarah Gray/Managing Editor
Downtown Marshall could see some positive changes in the future. On Thursday, Aug. 15, Rebecca Adams with the Marshall Tourism Commission announced that Marshall has been selected for the Community Empowerment Grant with Missouri Main Street organization.
“We did it!” she stated in an email to supporters. “Thank you to all of you for your hard work and dedication to this application process. I’m excited to see where our community will go from here.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, a Marshall Main Street presentation and tour was held downtown, which was open to the public. Community members and district business owners were encouraged to attend. This was the final step in the application process.
“Once we sign and send back our agreement and payment, the Missouri Main Street Directors will schedule a time to hold a town hall meeting in Marshall that is open to the public,” Adams continued, explaining that details for this are still to come. “We have also raised all of the funds required for this application through the support from the City of Marshall, Marshall Tourism Commission, Marshall Saline Development Cooperation, and community donors.”
Adams requested the city’s assistance in funding and provided the Marshall City Council with information earlier this month.
“… we’ll have a structure that we can follow,” she said during the council meeting. “It’s a proven method and it’ll bring our community up to speed to places like Sedalia. I know it’s kind of a stretch to say that, but if you’ve been there in the last 10 years you’ve seen the progress that it’s had. Places like Sedalia, Chillicothe, Clinton (and) Lees Summit, all their downtowns are really awesome, and that is a direct impact from being a part of the Main Street program.”
The program will also allow the city to have access to national and state grants which can then be given to business owners on the square.
In July, the Saline County Commission adopted a resolution in support of a Missouri Main Street grant application for downtown Marshall.
“This is an educational grant,” Northern Commissioner Stephanie Gooden had said. “It’s going to help form the Downtown Revitalization Organization. It’s going to give education on how to apply for grants. It’s also going to be a 501c3, which would help save some of our historic buildings and allow those owners to apply for a grant to revitalize our downtown.”
The “Main Street Approach” advocates a return to community self-reliance and the redevelopment of areas based on traditional assets, personal service, local ownership, a unique physical environment, and a sense of community, according to the organization. Grant recipients are mentored by Missouri Main Street for two years.
