By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly officially announced that the City of Great Bend
was added to the state’s Kansas Main Street program in April, but local officials
celebrated the membership in Great Bend Tuesday afternoon with a ribbon cutting
near Main Street.
The program gives communities access to technical services, networking and
training opportunities.
Kansas Main Street Director Scott Sewell said more than 40 communities are
affiliated with the program throughout the state.
"You revitalize your downtown district within the historic fabric that's in your downtown," said Sewell. "Buildings downtown are unique to Great Bend. What Great Bend gets out of being in the program is training and resources from us to make sure their downtown stays healthy and viable."
The Kansas Main Street program was launched in 1985, was stopped in 2012 and restarted
in 2019 by Governor Kelly.
Sewell was impressed with Great Bend’s push to revitalize downtown, and felt this
statewide program will accelerate and strengthen partnerships to reach more downtown
goals.
"I knew there were some really positive things going on in Great Bend," said Sewell. "We're seeing all the great murals and development projects. A lot of communities focus on filling store fronts on the ground level, but it's key to look up and filling those upper floor spaces. It seems like there is a lot of momentum here to do that."
There are no fees associated with the Kansas Main Street program.