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Lebanon Joins Statewide Effort at 14th Annual Main Street Capitol Day
On January 28, 2025, representatives from Lebanon, Missouri, participated in the 14th Annual Main Street Capitol Day, hosted by Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) in Jefferson City. The event brought together Main Street communities from across the state to meet with Missouri legislators, sharing the successes and impact of the Main Street Approach™ to downtown revitalization.
From left to right: Representative Jeff Knight – Representative Melissa Schmidt – Sarah Angst, Downtown Lebanon – Ben White, Missouri Main Street Connection – Julie Turnipseed, Missouri Main Street Connection
Over 15 communities, including Lebanon, gathered in the state capital to present local successes in downtown economic development. Alongside Lebanon, cities such as Cape Girardeau, Joplin, and Sedalia highlighted their efforts to breathe new life into their historic districts through a preservation-based economic development strategy that has proven to be effective in creating sustainable growth.
As part of the event, local Main Street stakeholders from Lebanon, including downtown business owners and Main Street staff, met with legislators to discuss the positive effects of revitalization efforts and the potential for further investment in Lebanon and Laclede County. Through these collaborative efforts, Lebanon has seen increased small business development, job creation, and community engagement in its downtown district.
The impact of the Missouri Main Street network is clear. As of the third quarter of 2024, the program has resulted in $84.8 million in investments, the creation of 83 new businesses, and the development of 345 new jobs across the state. These figures reflect the power of locally-driven economic growth that benefits not only the businesses within Main Street districts but also the broader regional economy.
Gayla Roten, State Director of MMSC, emphasized the importance of local Main Street organizations in supporting small businesses and fostering a climate of investment and growth. “Missouri Main Street communities, like Lebanon, are making great strides in revitalizing their historic districts,” she said. “We were excited to share the hard work and progress of these communities with legislators during Main Street Capitol Day.”
For Lebanon and Laclede County, participation in the event underscored the ongoing importance of preserving and revitalizing the downtown area, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from a thriving local economy.
From left to right: Emily Burke, Clinton Main Street – Renee Tippin, Clinton Main Street – Senator Sandy Crawford – Representative Bradd Polli – Joleigh Cornine, Sedalia Main Streets – Nick Smith, Clinton Main Street – Sarah Angst, Downtown Lebanon
