Grow Our Downtown seeks city sponsorship, plans grant-backed projects to revive Poplar Bluff downtown

Grow Our Downtown, a newly formed nonprofit, outlined plans on Feb. 11 to revitalize downtown Poplar Bluff and said it will seek sponsorship from the City of Poplar Bluff to apply for the Missouri Main Street grant program. Stephanie Knoppe, vice-chair of Grow Our Downtown, told the Poplar Bluff Historical Preservation Commission that the group has filed Articles of Incorporation, completed Secretary of State paperwork and obtained an employer identification number, and is waiting on its federal tax-exempt determination.

The group is asking the city to serve as sponsor if the Missouri Main Street program requires one; Knoppe said Grow Our Downtown's required local match would be about $13,233 and that the total project would be roughly $30,000 on a 30/70 split, with the grant paperwork due to the state by March 1, 2026 and the program deadline in early June. Knoppe described planned near-term work including removal of ginkgo trees on Main and Broadway (the Street Department will do removals), installation of park-built planter boxes and spring plantings, replacement of downtown trash receptacles, continued sidewalk repairs, and new street lighting. The group also plans fundraising events including Iron Horse in September and Derby Days in May.

Councilman David Boyer, the commission's council liaison, pressed for clarity on city-held funds from the dissolved Downtown Poplar Bluff organization and Farmers Market profits, asking how those dollars might relate to the new group's work. Knoppe said those decisions are for the City of Poplar Bluff to make and that Grow Our Downtown has discussed whether the city or the nonprofit should oversee the Farmers Market.

Commission members and presenters emphasized that the Historical Preservation Commission's role is to review projects for historical consistency rather than to run fundraising. Corretta M. Bishop said a commission member would only need to recuse herself from a vote if she had a financial interest in a proposed project. Vice-Chair Michael Pollard advised the group and the commission to seek balance between strict historic replication and practical development needs so revitalized storefronts are occupied and active.

Knoppe said Grow Our Downtown has four standing committees (media, grants, events and welcoming), an executive member assigned to each, and reported roughly 40 people attended a recent town hall. She asked the commission to allow regular updates; Councilman Boyer and Pollard proposed quarterly updates when there is business to report.

No formal action was taken on sponsorship or funding at the Feb. 11 meeting. The commission approved the Sept. 10, 2025 minutes by motion of Corretta M. Bishop, seconded by Ann Smith; the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.

This account is based solely on remarks recorded in the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting minutes of the Poplar Bluff Historical Preservation Commission.