ICYMI: Governor Kelly Revives Kansas Rural Main Streets
KEY QUOTE: “This program gives our communities access to key technical services, networking, and training opportunities…It supports community development and projects that draw in new businesses, that improve quality of life, and encourage our young folks to stay and raise families in their own home communities.”
Governor Kelly Announces Salina Rejoining Kansas Main Street Program
Salina Post
March 31, 2022
- Kansas Governor Laura Kelly was in Salina Thursday afternoon to announce the addition of three cities – including Salina – to the state’s Kansas Main Street program.
- In addition to Salina, Great Bend and Hays are rejoining the Kansas Main Street program.
- “Salina, along with Great Bend and Hays, recognize the value of having the support and guidance from the state and Main Street America programs,” Kelly said. “Because of these communities’ strong leadership and commitment, they’ve returned to this program that, without a doubt, is proving to be a winning approach to economic development.”
- “There is more economic opportunity in Kansas today then at any time in Kansas history. My administration has created more than 600 new economic development projects. We’ve brought more than $8.6 billion in new capital investment to the state. We’ve created or retained more than 42,000 jobs. Many of those jobs and much of that capital investment have been right here in Salina, Kansas,” she said.
- With the addition of Great Bend, Hays, and Salina, the Kansas Main Street program now has 35 designated communities “working to make substantial improvements and significant quality of life enhancements in those communities,” Kelly added.
In Other “Back on Mainstreet” News:
Kelly said the Kansas Main Street program launched in 1985 and has helped dozens of primarily rural communities work toward maintaining and enhancing the viability of their downtown districts. Unfortunately, Kelly said the Brownback Administration ended the program in 2012. However, she restarted the program in 2019 with support from the Kansas Legislature.
- Salina Journal: Salina joins Main Street program, plans to increase foot traffic, residences downtown
Salina wants downtown to continue to flourish. Along with a successful downtown development plan, the addition of a hotel and the move of a grocery store to Santa Fe Avenue, Salina is becoming a Kansas Main Street member once again.
Jeremy Johns, co-owner of Radius Brewing Company, said the state’s “Main Street” program has been ‘proactive’ in providing the support his brewpub needs to stay afloat. “A lot of times, businesses don’t know what kind of help they need, and Main Street reaches out to us and says, ‘Hey, we see this coming up, how can we help? Here are some things that might be helpful for you…,’” Johns said.
- Hay’s Post: Hays rejoins Kansas Main Street program
Ten years after the program was ended, only to restart years later, Hays can once again count itself among the ranks of cities in the Kansas Main Street Program. Gov. Laura Kelly made the announcement Thursday in Salina. Along with Hays, Salina and Great Bend have returned to the program that “helps communities preserve and revitalize their downtown districts by helping them develop a comprehensive strategy,” according to an announcement from Kelly’s office.
- Great Bend Tribune: Great Bend rejoins Main Street Program
“I am thrilled to see Great Bend rejoining the Kansas Main Street program,” said Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Megan Barfield, who was in Salina for the announcement. “We already have a beautiful and vibrant downtown and now it’s time to level-up.
- Clay Center Dispatch: Governor Laura Kelly Recognizes National Community Development Week
Kansas Main Street – program focused on the revitalization and preservation of downtown districts developed to enhance a community’s culture. Since 2019, Kansas Main Street has added 10 Designated communities to the program, bringing the total number of Designated Communities to 35. Kansas Main Street has provided nearly $650,000 in grant dollars to support building rehabilitation, upper-floor housing, connecting arts to downtown districts, and entrepreneurial development.
- Atchison Globe: Main Street Kansas brings history of success to Atchison
Atchison became a Main Street Kansas community in 2021. The program is a national program with over 2000 communities in over 40 states, and 28 of those communities reside in Kansas. The program started in 1970 and has a documented history of helping communities through the revitalization process.
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