Committee begins work on downtown revitalization after receiving matching grant from Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc.

​     Grain Valley has been selected to participate in a cost-sharing Community Empowerment Grant that provides training, mentoring, and technical services to revitalization programs in Missouri’s historic commercial districts. The 60/40 matching service grant provides training and mentoring services to a committee of business and community leaders tasked with creating an independent nonprofit organization focused on downtown revitalization. The Board of Aldermen approved $50,000 in ARPA funds received as a part of the CARES Act to match the grant.
     The grant, valued at $30,800 in training and mentoring services is provided by Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. (MMSC) MMSC staff will visit with Grain Valley’s community leaders to evaluate existing and future needs of the downtown, and then schedule a series of customized training and mentoring sessions equipping them to concentrate on their local revitalization goals.
     “This service grant offers an amazing opportunity to Grain Valley to bring the community together to preserve and revitalize the downtown district. We are excited to assist with this work,” MMSC State Director Gayla Roten said.
     According to Deputy City Administrator Theresa Osenbaugh, committee members include downtown business owners Nilesh Patel, Jason Fenstermaker, and David Halphin, Grain Valley Historical Society board member Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Partnership Executive Director Tasha Lindsey, as well Dr. Nick Gooch of Grain Valley Schools. Osenbaugh and City Administrator Ken Murphy serve on the committee as representatives of the City.
     The committee will meet virtually with MMSC on August 15th to begin the process of establishing the nonprofit organization. The group also will attend regional revitalization workshops and conferences conducted by MMSC. Grain Valley is also now designated as an Affiliate in the Missouri Main Street Tier Structure which ranks progress on standards established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and National Main Street Center.