Monday, October 30, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds Hermann’s DREAM Designation
HERMANN–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Hermann for the city’s annual Community Appreciation Day and 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.
“Hermann’s designation as one of the first DREAM communities will help the community enhance its German heritage,” Blunt said. “I am excited to see the DREAM Initiative help the selected communities accomplish their revitalization and redevelopment goals more quickly than ever before.”
The DREAM Initiative will work to help Hermann focus on its German heritage to attract tourists. The community is located in the heart of “Missouri’s Rhineland,” and their wineries and festivals attract visitors from all over the world. The downtown area is composed primarily of historic buildings that have changed little since the town was first established. Hermann has a great deal of family-oriented civic pride that is tied closely to its German heritage. The DREAM Initiative will help civic, historic, and preservation groups work together to focus on the community’s German heritage and bring tourists to see what Hermann has to offer.
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, Kennett, Neosho, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Washington and West Plains join Hermann as the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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