Discover Downtown

Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. Earns National Main Street Accreditation for 9th Consecutive Year

May 15, 2026
Guests gathered inside the historic Hall of Waters in Downtown Excelsior Springs during a community event hosted by the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. Round banquet tables fill the grand Art Deco hall as attendees socialize beneath the building’s iconic mineral water bar and tall windows overlooking the springs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statewide review identifies DEP as a “model program” within Missouri’s Main Street network

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO – The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. (DEP) has once again been recognized as an Accredited Main Street America program, the highest level of national accreditation available through the Main Street America network, marketing the organization’s 9th consecutive year receiving the designation.

The accreditation is awarded annually through a rigorous review process conducted by Missouri Main Street Connection and Main Street America. Programs are evaluated on organizational leadership, financial sustainability, preservation-based economic development, community engagement, strategic planning, measurable impact, and overall program effectiveness.

According to Missouri Main Street Connection’s final assessment, Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. was recognized as “operating at a high level across nearly every evaluated standard” and was repeatedly identified as “a model program within the Missouri network.”

Among the many strengths highlighted in the statewide review were DEP’s:

  • Deep partnerships and collaboration with the City and community stakeholders
  • Strong communication and storytelling efforts
  • Annual Report quality and impact reporting
  • Volunteer and committee engagement structure
  • Diversified funding model
  • Strategic planning and implementation
  • Preservation-based economic development efforts
  • Financial management and organizational maturity

The assessment specifically praised DEP’s partnership culture, calling it “genuinely rare” and “a model for other programs in the network.” Reviewers also noted that DEP’s annual report serves as a “best practice example statewide,” recognizing the organization’s ability to communicate measurable impact and tell the story of downtown revitalization in a compelling way.

“This recognition reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and community investment,” said Lyndsey M. Baxter, Executive Director of DEP. “We are incredibly proud that our program continues to be recognized not only nationally, but also as a model for other Main Street communities. This designation belongs to our volunteers, investors, businesses, City leadership, community partners, and every person who continues to believe in Downtown Excelsior Springs.”

The review also highlighted DEP’s:

  • Strong working board model
  • Mature volunteer management systems
  • Embedded City partnership
  • Strategy-driven programming
  • Preservation leadership
  • Responsible financial stewardship
  • Ability to execute projects at a consistently high level

In 2025 alone, DEP helped facilitated major downtown investment, coordinated dozens of community events and initiatives, expanded beautification and wayfinding projects, strengthened preservation efforts, increased downtown visitation, and continued strategic economic development efforts designed to support local businesses and strengthen the district’s long-term sustainability.

DEP is one of only a select number of programs nationwide to receive Accredited status through Main Street America. This designation recognizes communities that demonstrate exceptional performance in preservation-based economic development and comprehensive downtown revitalization.

While celebrating the achievement, DEP also acknowledged that the accreditation process serves as a roadmap for continued growth and improvement. The review identified future opportunities including expanded volunteer onboarding systems, succession planning, continued fundraising diversification, preservation resource accessibility, and completion of district inventory work through the BOOMS Tracker GIS system.

“Our organization has never believed in standing still,” Baxter added. “One of the things we value most about this process is that it challenges us to continue improving. We’re proud of how far Downtown Excelsior Springs has come, but we’re even more excited about where we’re headed next.”

For more information about the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc., upcoming events, or downtown initiatives, visit VisitExcelsior.com.

About the Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc.

The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. is a nationally and state accredited Main Street America program dedicated to the revitalization, preservation, and continued growth of Downtown Excelsior Springs. Through collaboration with business owners, property owners, local government, investors, volunteers, and community partners, DEP works to strengthen economic development, support small businesses, preserve historic character, enhance cultural vitality, promote tourism, and improve the overall quality of life within the downtown district.

Contact
Name: Lyndsey M. Baxter
Title: Executive Director
Phone: 816-719-9912
Email: [email protected]
Website: VisitExcelsior.com