Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds Washington’s DREAM Designation
WASHINGTON–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Washington 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.
“Washington can be proud of their efforts to revive their downtown and their designation as one of the first DREAM communities,” Blunt said. “The DREAM Initiative provides chosen communities expanded opportunities to redevelop the heart of their community and create new avenues for economic growth.”
The DREAM Initiative will work to help Washington with four major goals for their downtown including: support and expansion of existing downtown businesses, attract new businesses to downtown, redevelop the riverfront area, and promote the downtown area as a shopping destination. Washington plans to incorporate both their riverfront location and railroad heritage in their revitalization projects. Highlighting the community’s German culture will also be an important part of Washington’s downtown revitalization efforts and the DREAM initiative.
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, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Neosho, St. Joseph, Sedalia, and West Plains join Washington as the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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