Thursday, November 2, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Celebrates Hannibal’s DREAM Designation
HANNIBAL–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited Hannibal to help celebrate their downtown’s potential as 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 Hannibal because your DREAM designation translates into accomplishing your goals for downtown renewal more quickly than ever before,” Blunt said. “As home to Mark Twain, a historic stopping point for Mississippi River travelers and now as a DREAM designee, I am excited to see what is in store for Hannibal’s future.”
The DREAM Initiative will help Hannibal preserve the community’s various historic sites that reflect the diverse cultural history of the city like the Mark Twain Museum, Molly Brown’s birthplace, riverfront, and artistic community. It will allow them to work with other river communities to promote the growing arts community in the area through the Provenance Project. Hannibal boasts a beautiful natural riverfront, and their Riverview Park has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Landscapes. Hannibal will also use its DREAM designation to preserve and reuse their diverse architecture in the downtown area.
The DREAM Initiative allows communities to more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization 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, Hermann, Kennett, Neosho, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Washington and West Plains join Hannibal as the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
###