Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. Receives 2023 Main Street America Accreditation
The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street American and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street American programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
In 2022, Main Street American programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street American districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
The Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc.’s performance is annually evaluated by Missouri Main Street Connection, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To qualify for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
In 2022 there were more than $6.9 million in reported taxable retail sales in Downtown Excelsior Springs, a 101% increase since the Downtown Excelsior Springs Commercial Community Improvement District was established in 2014. At the end of 2022, there were 87 businesses located in Downtown Excelsior Springs. There were $7.9 million spent in private building improvements in the historic district in 2022 and volunteers gave 8,350 hours of their time to support the mission and vision of revitalizing Downtown Excelsior Springs.
DEP Board President, Nate Williams said, “The Downtown Excelsior Partnership continues to add new and amazing events that benefit a wide range of people and groups, from visitors to the district, to the business owners and local community residents. New events like the “Witch Way to the Wine” event was able to fill a gap in events, while also bringing new people to town. It is events like that, that continue to get added with a great reception that prove time and time again how alive Downtown Excelsior Springs is.”
Lyndsey Baxter, DEP Executive Director largely credits this accomplishment to the countless volunteers who give their time so willingly to further the mission and vision of revitalizing Downtown Excelsior Springs. “As an organization, we are so proud of the hard work and dedication that goes into making Downtown Excelsior Springs a special place. Our volunteers, our donors, the business owners, property owners, community partners, residents and visitors have been what has made this designation possible for the 6th year in a row and we look forward to continuing our progress together in the years to come.”
