Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Economy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Warrensburg Main Street urges continued city investment, cites growth and volunteer impact
Summary
Jamie DeBacker, representing Warrensburg Main Street, told the council the nonprofit generated $825,000 in private investment downtown, hosted 31 events in six months and logged 2,400 volunteer hours valued at $80,000; public commenters urged council to treat the organization as an investment, not an expense.
Jamie DeBacker, representing Warrensburg Main Street, addressed the council during the public comment portion to ask for continued city investment in the nonprofit partnership. DeBacker noted that in the first six months of the fiscal year the organization "hosted 31 event days and promotion days, welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to the Warrensburg Farmers Market, recorded 2,400 volunteer hours valued at $80,000, and generated $825,000 in private investment in downtown Warrensburg." She said the organization is operating with a two-person staff and leverages volunteers, private investment and grants to extend the city's capacity.
Randy Suhr, a longtime downtown volunteer, also spoke in support, saying Main Street was the catalyst for downtown’s rebound from near-abandonment in the 1990s and urging the council not to treat Main Street funding as discretionary expense. DeBacker asked the council to "continue to view Warrensburg Main Street as an investment and not an expense" as the city begins budget discussions.
