Beginning July 1, 2009 Kansas Main Street has implemented a new tiered program. There are four levels or tiers to the program.
Tier 1 - Kansas Downtown Network Communities: Any community in the state may become a Kansas Downtown Network Community. This level of participation will allow up to four individuals from a community to participate in a portion of the Kansas Main Street program's quarterly training sessions. These training sessions are held in designated Kansas Main Street communities and move around the state each quarter. In order to participate at this level a community must register and pay a fee of $300 annually. Each Kansas Downtown Network Community is allowed to bring up to four individuals to each quarterly training. In addition to the formal training, these communities will also have the opportunity to interact with others across the state who are working on downtown redevelopment projects, sharing information and support.
Tier 2 - Inside Track Communities: Communities that are serious about downtown development and are giving strong consideration to applying for Kansas Main Street designated status should apply for the Inside Track Tier. There is an application that must be completed by the community due in mid May annually. Services will begin immediately in selected cities the June following selection. No more than three communities will be accepted into this tier each year. Kansas Main Street staff will meet on-site with selected communities to assist them with building a strong organizational and funding foundation. It will be necessary for communities to demonstrate an understanding of the Main Street Four-Point Approach and the ability to apply that approach locally. This tier does require a minimum budget to cover local expenses, including travel to quarterly trainings. Inside Track Communities may send an unlimited number of people to quarterly trainings. Kansas Main Street staff will provide technical assistance throughout the year to prepare Inside Track Communities to complete the application for full designation in the Kansas Main Street program. It is expected that Inside Track participants will make application for designated status, but does not guarantee selection. A community must earn its designation.
Tier 3 - Designated Main Street Program: Any community wishing to make application for becoming a designated Main Street program must have successfully participated in the Inside Track portion of the program (Tier 2). Communities go through a competitive application process to become designated. Once a city is designated, the group establishes a board of directors and develops a local program to bring about revitalization of the commercial core area, as well as hiring a director to administer the program. The community is responsible for raising funds to staff and administer the local program. The Board plays a critical role in the program by establishing policy, determining priorities and partnering with the staff and volunteers to implement activities in all four areas of the Main Street Approach.
Communities selected for Kansas Main Street designation must be able to demonstrate the following.
1. Broad-based public and private sector support.
2. Need for, and commitment to, a long-term sustained downtown revitalization effort using the Main Street Four-Point Approach.
3. Sufficient buildings and businesses on which to build a marketable image.
4. A well-defined core commercial district.
5. Leadership from committed volunteers.
6. Demonstrated ability to succeed based on past community efforts.
7. Willingness to provide financial support for the local program.
Services provided by Kansas Main Street include:
1. Application assistance.
2. Kick off visit/needs assessment.
3. Resource team visit.
4. Basic training in the Main Street Four-Point Approach for local volunteers delivered on-site in the selected community.
5. Professional design assistance.
6. On-going professional development for the local director, board and volunteers.
7. Access to the Incentives Without Walls funds.
8. On-site technical assistance.
9. Resource library.
10. Progress meetings.
11. Market analysis and economic development strategies.
12. Linkage to hundreds of other Main Street communities across the state and nation.
13. Scholarships and registrations to the National Main Streets Conference.
14. Quarterly training sessions for directors, board members and volunteers.
15. State provides an annual Downtown Symposium and Awards of Excellence.
Tier 4 - Honor Communities: This tier has not been fully developed at this time and is expected to be in place within the next two to three years. Honor Communities must have successfully completed at least 5 years as a designated Main Street program, have achieved Kansas certification from attending and completing advanced learning on several Main Street topics and must have met National Main Street standards for three consecutive years. Full services and benefits of this distinction will be forthcoming.