Main Street: Board/Committees

Main Street Board

President: Lanae Powell, Ellene McKean & Assoc.
Treasurer/Secretary: Larry Smith, The Cook's Nook
Past President: Stan Smith, Peoples Bank & Trust
Other Board Members:
  Sarah Kallenbach, Kari Lynn's Bridal
  Amy Jantz, Route 56
  Tonya Schafer, Artshirt
  Sandy Ide, Sunflower Bank
  Cyril Russell, Memorial Hospital
  Mary Steffes, Fee Insurance
  Michael Wilde, Walmart
  Steve Mulch, Guys & Gals
  Tiffani Floyd, McPherson Business Machines
Executive Director: Ann Engel

Design Committee
Members: Jennifer Burch, Mary Steffes, Jan Seiler, Randy Clark

The Main Street Design Committee is committed to improving and enhancing the physical environment of the central business district. Creating an inviting atmosphere, through window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, streetlights, landscaping, and the buildings themselves conveying a visual message of what Main Street is and what it has to offer.

Included among the Design Committee's accomplishments during 2008 are:

• Benches - Dr. Walter W. Jones purchased 20 park benches to honor his sister and her husband, Peggy & Max Ebaugh. The City and the Park Department were instrumental in the success of this project. The benches are made from recycled plastic and tires and are a wonderful addition to our streetscape.
• Fountain - Main Street worked with the local radio station and the City to provide a forum for input on the Plaza fountain. A list of problems and cost repairs was presented, and the community response was to make the repairs, which the Park Department did.
• Halloween Parade - This is done in conjunction with the local Beta Sigma Phi Halloween Carnival, and is a big hit with the local children as they show off their costumes and trick or treat with the merchants.
• Christmas Decorations - Fund to purchase Downtown decorations directly or through the MCCF. Minor repairs were made to the existing decorations and more will be purchased as funds allow. BPU donates the labor for installation and removal.
• Weeds, Trash and Parking - Main Street and the Chamber joined forces regarding problems with parking on Main and general appearance. Newspaper articles & mailings were successful.
• College Orientation - Main Street and the Chamber joined forces with McPherson College and Central Christian College to promote McPherson to the freshman class through a scavenger hunt. Students had a list of clues and participating businesses and were required to go to each business to collect information and a prize.

Economic Restructuring
Chair: Stan Smith
Members: Randy Clark, Bob Moore, Chris Wiens, Matt Morrow, Mike Mills, Chet Lang

The Economic Restructuring Committee is committed to learn to fully understand the social and economic characteristics of the downtown and its trade area so as to implement a strategy that will retain existing businesses and help business clusters to develop and recruit new businesses appropriate to the vision and trade area demographics of the downtown. Main Street programs help convert unused and underused space into productive property and works to help sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises.

Included among the Economic Restructuring Committee's accomplishments in 2008 are:

• Zoning - Zoning in the Downtown core area was an issue, and suggestions were made to the zoning commission and the City. The committee is reviewing the effects of having a designated Historical District, and studying the Community Building remodel & the Sales Tax issue.
• IWW - Grants were written for two projects: New York Life - Donna Lehner and Sounds Great - Chuck Vetter. Grants were approved for $22,792.96, with matching private funds of $82,613.85, totaling $105,406.81 re-invested downtown, completion date Spring of 2009.
• Governor's Awards - McPherson Main Street was honored at the Kansas Governor's Awards in El Dorado for reaching and surpassing a re-investment plateau of $15 million dollars. The running total began in August of 1997 when McPherson became a Main Street Community, and the total through September of 2008 was $16,213,657.55. We were commended for the overall distribution of the monies as follows: 68 facade projects $2,355,402; 78 rehab or new construction $7,026,468; 33 buildings sold $4,019,560; 54 public improvements $2,812,227.55; overall net gain of 28 new businesses and 84 jobs. Kenney Photography provided 2 photographs for our entry. Jeff & Dayna Foster and Sara & Marion Thul were honored for "Design Project over $45,000" for the Sear's building, which received a $15,000 grand from the IWW state fund.

Promotion Committee
Chair: Lanae Powell
Members: Sarah Kallenbach, Amy Jantz, Tonya Schafer, Sandy Ide, Cyril Russell, Michael Wilde, Steve Mulch, Tiffani Floyd, Megan Decker, Jennifer Bonham, Larry Smith, Ashly Goering, Stephanie Heinrichs, Bonnie Kaufman, Janette Hess

The Promotion Committee works hard to sell the image and promise of Main Street to all prospects; Market the district's unique characteristics to shoppers, investors and visitors through the creation and implementation of a unified, consistent plan for marketing the downtown area. The promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotions and special events carried out by local volunteers.

Included in the Promotion Committee's accomplishments during 2008 are:

• Great Bend Women's Fair - promoted shopping in McPherson and the CVB booth in Great Bend to 1,100 women with samples and brochures.
• Kansas State Fair - worked at the CVB booth along with the Chamber
• Shop the Night Away - 21 merchants participated, spent $4,300 in advertising and registrants from 33 Kansas communities and 11 out of state attended the late night shopping and theme night.
• Mini-Main - 15 participants joined together to provide a unique shopping experience for area children ages Pre K-5th grade. Gifts priced $1-10 were available for 3 hours, and volunteer elves helped with shopping, crafts, and a visit from Santa (sponsored by Ellene McKean & Associates). Merchants simply dropped off their items and at the end, were given all proceeds. $4,247.00 was sold in the 3 hour period!
• Holiday Open House/Home for the Holidays - The Chamber and Main Street planned an extensive promotion this year, spending $8,200 on advertising, and shopping incentives for the 26 participants. Special shopping hours, Ho-Ho Dough, discount coupons, candy, strolling carolers, Trolley Light Tours with the CVB and refreshments with Father Christmas at the Opera House, refreshments made the Holidays festive for residents and visitors alike. Kenney Photography provided the photo for our campaign.

Organization Committee
Members: Lanae Powell, Larry Smith and Stan Smith

The Organization Committee works hard to develop a strong, well-trained downtown corporate entity whose sole responsibility is the enhancement of communication, volunteer development, program implementation and fundraising necessary to implement the Four-Point Approach.

Included among the Organization Committee's accomplishments in 2008 are:

• Membership - Main Street retained 85% of its members, added 14 new members for a total 2008 membership of 99 members.
• Burnin' Down Main Fundraiser - 12 chili contestants competed for $1,100 in prize money thanks to our corporate sponsor, Wendy's. Next years event will be on the Plaza in the morning.
• Pumpkin Giveaway - People's Bank & Trust, Home State Bank & Trust, Great Plains Federal Credit Union, and Sunflower Bank, sponsored 100 free pumpkins, St. Joseph Catholic School provided paint for decoration.
• ASD Concession Fundraiser - Volunteers from the Board & the promotion committee worked the concession stand.
• Evaluation - Our 2008 State evaluation included phrases like: "we are very pleased to see an increase in volunteers and the renewed energy and commitment of the Board, the committees and the Executive Director" and "you have made significant strides reorganizing the program this year". We will continue to work toward the goals established by the State and community, and have met the requirements to be Nationally and State accredited.
• Committees - The four standing committees have a total of 37 members. Several months were spent reviewing the Articles, Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, as well as auditing all IWW loan accounts and all financial records.
• Recruitment/Retention - Contacted multiple businesses for possible relocation, and worked with others on ideas for expansion.
• Seminars - Working with the Chamber, the CVB and HCC for possible educational seminars that will benefit our members. Offered multiple seminars to members through the Kansas Main Street quarterly meetings, as well as access to Jon Schallert webinars.