KANSAS CITY – Ten additional small and mid-sized
communities in Missouri will have new opportunities to transform their downtown
areas and create new jobs through an economic development initiative created
by Gov. Matt Blunt. Gov. Blunt today 
announced the 10 Missouri communities
selected to participate in the 2008 DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic
Assistance for Missouri) Initiative.
Boonville, Farmington, Fulton, Lamar, Lebanon, Louisiana, Macon, Strafford, Warrensburg and Webb City are the third round of communities inducted in the governor’s DREAM Initiative.
“This is great news for these communities,” Gov. Blunt said. “Missouri relies on its local economies and the investment of Missourians who are interested in preserving a sense of place and cultural heritage in the hearts of their communities. I congratulate this year’s DREAM communities and look forward to working with them to provide the tools and resources they need to enhance their downtowns and neighborhoods.”
Gov. Blunt unveiled the DREAM Initiative in 2006 to provide Missouri’s small and mid-sized towns the same access to economic development tools as larger communities. Selected communities become active members of the DREAM Initiative for three-years and gain prioritized access to state supported programs through ongoing cooperation among several unique agencies and funding sources. Programs include technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation.
“When I tasked the Department of Economic Development to evaluate our economic incentives, they found these tools were underutilized by small and medium communities because of their complexity,” Gov. Blunt said. “Under the old way, these communities were too often left out of economic development opportunities that larger communities enjoyed. With the DREAM initiative, we changed that system and leveled the playing field to give our small and medium sized communities the same access to downtown development tools as our largest cities.”
The governor’s DREAM Initiative supports a comprehensive approach to concentrate resources and available tools to allow communities to accomplish their broad-based and long term revitalization and redevelopment goals more quickly than ever before.
In addition all 26 applicants will benefit from the governor’s new initiative as well. They will receive:
* technical assistance
* exclusive invitations to a series of revitalization training opportunities and seminars
* the chance to learn about existing redevelopment programs, how they work and how to best access available tools
Applications were evaluated by representatives from the three DREAM Initiative partners, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Development Finance Board and the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The evaluation process included confirming applications were complete and attention to community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, broad community support and a comprehensive approach.
Several of this year’s new DREAM communities are also working to recover from natural disasters over the last several months. The DREAM assistance and revitalization will be helpful as they work to strengthen ties to their downtowns and city centers.
Previously, Aurora, Cape Girardeau, Caruthersville, Chillicothe, Clinton, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Kirksville, Maryville, Mexico, Neosho, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Trenton, Washington, and West Plains were named DREAM communities. Together, they have received more than $46 million in state grants to rebuild, revitalize, and rejuvenate their downtowns. The investment has generated impressive returns in private donations, led to job creation, and helped breathe new life into Missouri communities.
Boonville: While Boonville’s downtown has some vacancies and properties that need improvements, community officials view the DREAM Initiative as an opportunity for redevelopment.
Farmington: Farmington, the county seat of St. Francois County, has many Victorian-era and early 20th Century buildings in its downtown; both commercial and residential. Its city and county government facilities are very much an anchor of the central business district. The downtown, which hosts several annual events, such as “Country Days,” which attracts approximately 20,000 people, also contains a mix of professional offices, specialty shops and restaurants.
Fulton: Fulton’s downtown boasts brick streets and Victorian store fronts; the majority of the buildings in downtown are on the Historic Register – the county courthouse and the city hall draw visitors to downtown. Businesses in downtown Fulton are largely professional (attorneys, accountants, banks, etc.), with some retail and the city is home to two colleges; both of which are close to the downtown and certainly add to the culture of Fulton. The challenge for Fulton’s downtown is to attract retail as the nearness of Jefferson City and Columbia make it attractive for local shoppers to go elsewhere.
Lamar: The birthplace of Harry Truman – the only president born in Missouri – Lamar has both county and city government facilities in its downtown district. Truman’s birthplace is near downtown and is a tourist attraction for the area (over 17,000 visitors annually).Lamar wants to improve the linkage between the Truman Birthplace site and the downtown square. Other challenges are to keep the downtown businesses competitive and to expand the downtown to more than an “8 – 5 government and financial services center.”
Lebanon: Lebanon has been historically important to travelers, starting with the Wire Road prior to the Civil War, the railroads starting in 1869, and then to motorists driving Route 66. It’s still an important stop on I-44. The downtown contains a mix of retail and professional, with a few restaurants and government buildings. The county courthouse is adjacent to the downtown, and also brings visitors to the area. The buildings in the downtown are largely in good condition, but there are opportunities for redevelopment. Lebanon would like to offer more specialty shops and high-end shopping in the downtown.
Louisiana: Downtown Louisiana has been described as the “most intact Victorian streetscape west of the Mississippi.” The downtown overlooks the Mississippi River, and the riverfront is an important drawing point for visitors and residents. The Riverfront Park features an original stone seawall and moorings from when riverboats came into Louisiana many years ago.The challenges include maintenance and upgrade of these historic structures, and needed infrastructure improvements (sidewalks especially) that would enhance the downtown experience for visitors and residents.
Macon: Macon would like to showcase its downtown’s history while focusing on the future. Its downtown provides a variety of businesses, with a mix of retail and services. Officials want to build on the specialty retail assets that are already there, attracting even more specialty retail to downtown, as well as to build on cultural assets in the downtown area like its professional and community theatre organizations, both of which use the historic Royal Theatre.
Strafford: Strafford’s downtown history includes the railroad, Route 66, the old Wire Road and the Trail of Tears, all of which either ran through the town’s location or nearby. Route 66 Days is a street carnival held in the downtown each September. Its downtown offers a mix of professional service, retail and government services.Strafford goals are to promote the downtown businesses, improve pedestrian traffic flow and do infrastructure upgrades to the downtown area.
Warrensburg: Warrensburg’s downtown is one of 10 Amtrak stops between Kansas City and St. Louis; in the last year over 10,000 people got on or off the train in downtown Warrensburg. Downtown Warrensburg hosts several events, including Memorial Day and July 4th celebrations, the Hot Dogs……….Cool Cars show, Farmers’ Market, and Downtown Trick or Treat Night. In addition, the University of Central Missouri Homecoming Parade travels through downtown. All of these events draw crowds to the downtown.
Webb City: Webb City’s downtown vision is a “Live, Work and Play” neighborhood and its goal is a turn of the century (20th) theme. Architectural students from Drury University worked with the city and the public to develop a study and vision for the downtown.
Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.