Missouri Main Street Connection Convened at the Missouri State Capitol to Share 20 Years of Impact

(Branson, MO) – Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. (MMSC) has cultivated a successful partnership with the State of Missouri through Main Street Capitol Day that yields high returns for Missourians. MMSC has been educating legislators on Main Street’s impact on empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses; supporting the preservation and creation of community infrastructure; and enhancing Main Street communities for 20 years.

During this year’s Main Street Capitol Day, Main Street representatives from 20 Main Street communities, including Brookfield, Cape Girardeau, Carrollton, Chillicothe, Clinton, Delmar, Dutchtown, Excelsior Springs, Fayette, Independence, Jackson, Joplin, Kirksville, Lebanon, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Marceline, Trenton, Warrensburg, and Washington discussed with Missouri Legislators the importance of the Missouri Main Street network and shared local impacts.

State Director, Gayla Roten noted, “We were excited to share our collective impact over 20 years with legislators during Main Street Capitol Day. Maintaining the partnership between the State of Missouri and Missouri Main Street Connection is vital to our work, which creates a positive influence on Missouri’s communities, supports local small businesses, and establishes an environment for increased investment and economic growth. For every dollar invested by the state, MMSC doubles it through private investment.”

Main Street programs highlighted their successful community and economic development with assistance from MMSC, inlcuding:

• Warrensburg Main Street is maintaining a healthy downtown vacancy below 15%;
• Old Town Cape fostering new business growth resulting in 21 new businesses and 112 new jobs;
• Downtown Marceline is enhancing their public spaces for residents and visitors; and
• Downtown Excelsior Partnership is raising private investment to fund projects that add much-needed overnight lodging options.

Guided by MMSC and the Main Street preservation-based economic development methodology, Main Street communities welcomed 109 net new businesses, developed 545.5 net new jobs, and raised $135.4 million in public and private investment in 2025.

Reference: 

Gayla Roten, State Director
Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc.
417.334.3014
info@momainstreet.org