Missouri Main Street Connection Inc

Conference: Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. (MMSC) hosts an annual state conference to educate Missouri communities. The conference provided focus on the importance of people, preservation, and places in community development and revitalization. The conference brings together historic preservation, community revitalization, and economic development professionals to learn new techniques and ideas related to the Main Street Approach to revitalization. The three-day conference hosted attendees from across Missouri for education and networking. Proceeds from the conference are utilized by MMSC to provide in-community services directly with the local Main Street non-profit.

Workshops and Trainings: Training is offered for nominal fees or at no cost to the attendees. Participants in the training include community development groups, local Main Street organizations, preservation groups, city and county officials, specialists in historic preservation of buildings, downtown betterment groups, chambers of commerce, and other groups interested in preservation and revitalization of historic districts. MMSC selected topics for the 2024 workshops and conferences that helped existing groups strengthen their local revitalization programs and help those starting a revitalization program to achieve success quickly. The training in regional workshops focus on the development of revitalization skills for governing boards, staff, and volunteers who support the local revitalization efforts.

Community Empower Grant: Missouri Main Street Connection through the Community Empower Grant assisted 18 communities in 2024. This grant program helps communities start a Main Street program and begin building a successful downtown with new investment, businesses, residents, and events celebrating all that makes a downtown the heart of the community. The grant program provides two years of hands-on training and provides "over the shoulder" guidance and encouragement to help build a strong foundation for long-lasting economic vitality for downtown. Other program services included training for local Main Street programs via the virtual Mornings on Main Street webinar series, Lunch and Learn, Doctor is in to address questions, and We Care calls with Main Street Directors from across the state. Program participants gained valuable knowledge to expand the program services and technical training offered by MMSC.