A delegation from Kennett traveled to the Governor's Conference to accept the award at the Governor's Award Luncheon held at the America's Convention Center at St. Louis on Tuesday, Sept, 26. Pictured are, left to right, front, Roger Wheeler, City Councilman, Don Burke, City Councilman, Stephan Keating, Johnny Dalton, President, Kennett Chamber of Commerce Board, and David Wilkins, Director of Operations, City Light, Gas & Water; second row, Marsha Blanchard, Director, Southeast Missouri State University -- Kennett, Freddie Graham, Chamber Board Member and Chairman, Kennett Image Committee, Governor Matt Blunt, Mayor Donald Parker; Patti Riggs, Chamber Board Member, Karen Vandiver, Downtown Development Committee, and Randy Morgan, Ex-Officio President, Chamber Board; back, Ken Goslee, City Administrator; Randy Bridges, City Councilman, Bill Timmons, Chamber member; Jan McElwrath, Executive Director, Kennett Chamber of Commerce. [Click to enlarge]

Governor Matt Blunt recently unveiled a new initiative called Downtown Revitalization Economic Assistance for Missouri (the DREAM Initiative). Tuesday, Blunt announced the first 10 cities to be selected as part of the DREAM Initiative.

According to a press release from Blunt, " The initiative will help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts."

Ninety-eight cities applied to be included among the first to be selected to participate in the DREAM Initiative and only 10 were chosen. Among those 10 is Kennett. Others were Cape Girardeau, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Neosho, Sedalia, St. Joseph, Washington, and West Plains.

A delegation from Kennett traveled to the Governor's Conference to accept the award at the Governor's Award Luncheon held at the America's Convention Center in St. Louis.

"The entire Chamber staff, Carol Henfling, Amanda Howlett, Stephan Keating, and our summer intern, helped create and assemble the detailed information that we included in the DREAM application," Jan McElwrath , executive director of the Kennett Chamber of Commerce, said. "We knew this was going to be a very competitive program and we wanted to represent Kennett well.

"When we received the call that Kennett was one of 10 communities selected among the 98 communities which applied for this program we were elated. We went into high gear to gather the people who have led this effort to get them to St. Louis for the luncheon, which fell on the day of the Delta Fair Parade.

"Thanks to local pilots Johnny Dalton, David Wilkins, Randy Morgan and Bill Timmons we were able to attend the luncheon and return in time to line up the Delta Fair Parade."

Blunt said, "Today I congratulate these communities as the first to be given this special designation. They represent the potential for all Selected communities will be active members of the DREAM Initiative for three-years. During that time they will have streamlined access to available programs including both technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation."

These communities, according to Blunt, will receive technical assistance, exclusive invitations to a series of revitalization training opportunities and seminars, and the chance to learn about existing redevelopment programs -- how they work and how to best access available tools. Eventually, all 98 applicants will receive these benefits.

"Through Gov. Blunt's vision, this initiative best utilizes the state's resources and provides opportunities to all communities who took the time to apply," said Greg Steinhoff, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Applications were evaluated by representatives from the three DREAM Initiative partners, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Development Finance Board and the Missouri Housing Development Commission. The evaluation process included confirming applications were complete and attention to community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, broad community support and a comprehensive approach.

Mayor Parker of Kennett is out of town this week and was unavailable for comment.

The goal of the DREAM Initiative is to help several select Missouri communities:

* re-establish the properties in use in the downtown core,

* increase property tax values and sales tax opportunities,

* re-establish a sense of place and cultural heritage in the heart of the community, and

* attract private investment and new jobs.