Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kirksville Main Street president credits new part-time director with membership and sponsorship gains
Summary
Ryan Ratliff, president of Kirksville Main Street, and part-time executive director Lacey Cook have increased partner counts, sponsorships for the Whiskey Turkey festival and social media reach since May 1; Main Street seeks a comprehensive downtown website and is exploring grant opportunities through Missouri Main Street
Ryan Ratliff, president of Kirksville Main Street, told the City Council study session that the organization’s recent activity and a part-time executive director hired May 1 have increased partner participation, social media reach and event sponsorships.
Ratiff said, “Our part time executive director, which is Lacey Cook, she joined along with myself. We took over May 1,” and credited Cook with increasing Main Street’s social media presence “about 4000%” and growing partners from three to 21. He told the council the organization had secured $6,900 in sponsorships this year for the Whiskey Turkey festival after having none earlier in the year.
Why it matters: a resurgent Main Street organization can help downtown businesses, attract visitors and coordinate events that support the city’s tourism and economic development goals. Ratliff said Main Street is pursuing a comprehensive website with calendaring to promote downtown activities and is reengaging with Missouri Main Street at the state level to pursue grants.
Council members asked about strategic planning and priorities. Ratliff said Main Street’s top priorities are growing downtown partners and stabilizing consistent leadership; he said he will serve about a year as volunteer president but urged continued funding for the executive director position.
Grants and data tools: Ratliff reported learning about Placer.ai and similar tools at the state conference and described data examples from a city of Lebanon report—attendance, average dwell time and origin locations—which he said help quantify event benefits. He said Main Street plans to apply for state grants that fund downtown projects.
Discussion only/directions/formal action: Council received the update; there was no formal action. Staff and council encouraged Main Street to continue grant pursuit and coordination with tourism funding.
Ending: Ratliff said the group will expand grant seeking and downtown promotion and that Main Street’s progress will be revisited as events and grant applications proceed.
