Branson, MO. – Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) awarded the Outstanding Community Empowerment Grant Community Award to two distinct winners during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference’s Evening of Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the St. Charles Convention Center. West Plains Downtown was one of the 23 community, individual, business, and organization award recipients that was recognized Thursday night.
West Plains Downtown received this award for the extraordinary progress through MMSC’s Community Empowerment Grant. During their time in the Community Empowerment Grant, West Plains Downtown’s board coalesced, advisors got involved, committee chairs
led volunteers to implement projects, and partners were recruited.
They have formed over 10 partnerships that include the City of West Plains, Ozark Radio News, Ozarks Small Business Incubator, Council on the Arts, National Association of REALTORS®, and more.
They have had an outstanding impact on their community with the clear vision they established through the Community Empowerment Grant, leading to initiatives like a National Trust for Historic Preservation Coloring Book, real estate tours, alley activation, First Thursday Strolls, wayfinding, beautification, downtown cleanups, Sounds Downtown, and more.
Another major accomplishment that West Plains Downtown has achieved within their first two years is hiring a full-time executive director who helps coordinate the organization’s efforts. Because of their local impact that has shifted attitudes about downtown, fostered building revitalizations, and assisted in the creation of new businesses, West Plains Downtown Revitalization deserves the Outstanding Community Empowerment Grant Community Award.
About West Plains Downtown Revitalization
West Plains Downtown Revitalization is a community-driven, non-profit organization that is developing a vibrant and creative downtown district that enriches the community and supports economic vitality through revitalization, promotion, and historic preservation.
For more information on this award contact West Plains Downtown Revitalization at downtownwestplains@gmail.com.
About Missouri Main Street Connection
Missouri Main Street Connection is the leading statewide nonprofit organization devoted to preservation-based economic development. Through the Main Street America™ movement and our partners, we empower community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and
sustaining Missouri historic commercial districts in both rural and urban settings. Since 2006, Missouri Main Street districts have seen $1.4 billion in public and private investment and MMSC has worked in over 150 communities. These Missouri Main Street communities and districts are thriving and vibrant by engaging the community members in revitalization strategies to create experiences that preserve their history and culture. Follow Missouri Main Street Connection on Facebook @MissouriMainStreetConnection and Instagram
@MOmainstreet.
