Ellensburg Downtown Association outlines 2024 achievements, funding needs for trash cans, planters and murals

Teresa Chanis, director of the Ellensburg Downtown Association, updated the City Council on the association’s 2024 activities and 2025 priorities, saying the nonprofit’s volunteer-driven work supports downtown businesses and placemaking.

The update matters because the association receives a city contract (about $60,000 annually as Chanis described) and uses that funding together with state Main Street tax credits, sponsorships and private donations to operate events and small business supports that aim to boost downtown foot traffic and local revenue.

Chanis told council the EDA is a 501(c)(3) and a nationally accredited Main Street program. She said the group contributed more than 2,100 volunteer hours in 2024 and runs four committees—economic vitality, design, organization/outreach and promotions—to run events, maintain public spaces and recruit volunteers. “We are a small and mighty team of 3,” Chanis said.

She said the EDA awarded $12,000 in microgrants to downtown businesses in 2024…