Main Street group forming first board

A group of volunteers and supporters, meeting at the Concordia Community Center last Thursday evening, took the first steps toward forming a board of directors for the Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) program in Concordia.

In an organizational meeting, led by Randy Suhr and Patty Schnakenberg, area residents and business owners discussed Main Street's potential in the community and what a board of directors should look like going forward. MMSC suggests communities form boards of eight to 12 people. Suhr, who has worked closely with the MMSC program in Warrensburg, suggested the board be comprised of an odd number of people to prevent ties during votes. Those in attendance agreed the board should consist of at least nine members.

Attendees at the meeting made several recommendations of people who might have an interest in serving. Schnakenberg and Suhr said they would contact some of the people mentioned and asked those in attendance to spread the word about the need for volunteers.

Board members would meet once a month and serve one-, two- or three-year terms. Suhr said it is good to have variations in the term amounts so there is a continual rotation of board members.

Potential board members or volunteers do not have to own a business in the downtown area or even be a citizen of Concordia.

Suhr said the whole community as well as those living outside the city limits benefit from a revitalized downtown area and anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to get involved.

During the meeting, Suhr also shared several ideas and strategies he has learned while working with MMSC over the last 15 years.

Suhr said having a strong foundation is vital to future success. He also said Concordia was "fortunate" to get the MMSC grant and the community has many strong qualities that make it ideal for revitalization.

However, he said the path to reaching the community's goals will take time and work. Towns like Lee's Summit and Warrensburg, which have been in the MMSC program many years, are just now beginning to reach some their initial goals.

Mark Schnakenberg, who was the alderman liaison for the ad hoc committee responsible for bringing the Main Street program to Concordia, said, "We want this to be successful, but it is going to take a lot of people working together."

Another organizational meeting to form the board will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 2 at the community center.