DED awards Excelsior Springs $100,000 CDBG for downtown management project

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO – April 14, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) today announced that Excelsior Springs has been approved for a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The grant will be utilized to assist in the hiring of a downtown manager.

Excelsior Springs is a Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) community.

During the last decade, a significant amount of public and private investment has been made in Excelsior Springs’ downtown business district. However, more needs to be done to tackle some of the more blighted influences on the area. The CDBG will enable the Downtown Excelsior Partnership to hire a professional downtown manager for a two-year period to develop a comprehensive strategy for marketing, revitalization of downtown properties, business recruitment and creation of an environment conducive to attracting artists to the community.

DEP has committed to funding the position after the initial two-year period.

The CDBG program, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, provides grants and loan funds to cities with a population under 50,000 and counties under 200,000 to assist in a variety of public works and economic development projects.