Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds Excelsior Springs’ DREAM Designation
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Excelsior Springs to help celebrate their downtown’s potential. The city is one of only ten to be the first inducted into the governor’s DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative.
“This is an exciting time for Excelsior Springs as the community works towards its dream to enhance development and growth and attract new jobs downtown,” Blunt said. “As I visit Missouri’s first DREAM communities, I continue to be impressed by the DREAM Initiative’s potential to support and create new opportunities for our diverse and historic downtowns and for our state.”
The DREAM Initiative will work to help Excelsior Springs enhance its downtown and focus on its history to attract tourists. Potential plans include the establishment of an arts presence in the downtown area. Other goals include highlighting the Elms Hotel, Hall of Waters, Paradise Playhouse dinner theatre, the Watkins Woolen Mill historic site and adding a mix of unique shops in to make the downtown attractive to tourists.
The DREAM Initiative will help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts and attract new private investment opportunities to the hearts of their communities. It provides selected communities streamlined access to available programs for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation. The initiative also offers exclusive training and seminars created to help all DREAM applicants learn more about how to access existing redevelopment programs and tools to revitalize Missouri’s historic and diverse downtowns.
Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Neosho, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Washington, and West Plains join Excelsior Springs as the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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