Grant awarded to Jackson Revitalization Organization

The Missouri Main Street Connection has selected the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization to participate in a cost-sharing affiliate grant that provides training, mentoring and technical services to revitalization programs in the state.

The Missouri Main Street Connection is a partner with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, whose mission is to preserve and enhance the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of historic downtown business districts.

The Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization has been working downtown since 2013. Two of its largest events were Oktoberfest in October and a bridal event in May 2013, according to a news release from state Rep. Donna Lichtenegger.

Jackson was selected through a competitive application process, and community representatives are scheduled to meet with Missouri Main Street Connection officials in late February or early March.

"We applied to gain direction and focus resources," said Bob Schooley, vice president of the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization.

During the next two years, Missouri Main Street Connection will provide Jackson with training and mentoring to help the city's revitalization organization establish a community engagement plan.

Leaders of the Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization also will attend regional revitalization workshops and conferences by Missouri Main Street Connection.

Schooley said the staff will meet with members of the revitalization board, as well as with city council members and the mayor, to begin planning the next steps for revitalizing the historical aspects of the city.

"[The city's been] extremely supportive," Schooley said. "They're excited to work with us, and the mayor is very willing on our future plans."

When the groups meet, they will evaluate the city's needs for downtown and schedule training and mentoring on how to reach those goals. Schooley said the effort likely will include restoring old buildings, working with store owners on grants and tax-credit programs, filling vacant store spaces, raising employment rates and increasing traffic to downtown.

Jackson's downtown is comprised of 112 buildings and about 94 businesses, Lichtenegger's news release states. Jackson is the county seat and has historic and unique tourist assets, including a historic train, a preservation center, well-preserved historic homes and good walkability.

By participating, the committee hopes to drive up tourism rates.

The affiliate grant requires the organization to contribute 40 percent of the cash value of the services. The total value of the grant in training and mentoring services is $24,000, and Schooley said the revitalization organization is contributing $9,600.

"From what I understand, they give us 60 percent in their services, conferences, training, tools. ... We're getting the entire Main Street gambit, but that does not include any monetary refunds," Schooley said.

Schooley is most looking forward to the initial meeting with the Missouri Main Street Connection and planning what's next for Jackson. He said the organization and city are made up of dedicated volunteers who will work hard to improve downtown.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644