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ACROSS MISSOURI Main Street Chillicothe Receives 2023 Main Street America Accreditation
CHILLICOTHE, MO – Main Street Chillicothe has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 862 Accredited Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts,” said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO of Main Street America. “The increase in the size and impact of our network speaks volumes to the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of local communities and drive innovative solutions.”
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In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged
1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Collectively, two million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
Main Street Chillicothe’s performance is annually evaluated by Missouri Main Street Connection, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To qualify for accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
The purpose of Main Street
Chillicothe is to enhance the vitality of the downtown by preservation of its architectural, commercial, and cultural heritage; encouraging education and community awareness of resources available to property and business owners; stimulating economic development through its design, economic vitality, and organization committees; and promoting Chillicothe as an attractive city in which to shop, dine, work, live, and be enter- tained.
In the last year, Main Street Chillicothe has welcomed a new Executive Director, Tomie Walker, and continues to welcome new volunteers into their downtown family.
Missouri’s 2023 Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference
Missouri Main Street Connection Inc. (MMSC) presented downtown awards recognizing performance excellence during Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference in St. Louis on July 28, 2023. The event was hosted at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark.
The ceremony honored communities, individuals, businesses, and organizations from across the state that have completed exemplary work in downtown revitalization. Competitive nominations were submitted for projects, activities, and individuals in 13 different categories that covered aspects of design, economic vitality, organization, promotion, and other efforts in downtown revitalization.
For more information about Missouri WIC, call the Grundy County Health Department at (660) 359-4196 or visit www.health.mo.gov/wic.


This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Missouri Main Street Connection is the leading statewide nonprofit organization devoted to preservation-based economic development. Through the Main Street America™ movement and our partners, we empower community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and sustaining Missouri historic commercial districts in both rural and urban settings.
In 2022 Missouri Main Street communities have created 332 net new jobs, 146 net new businesses, saved 303 buildings, received $105.5 million dollars in public and private investments, and accumulated 62,165 volunteer hours in their districts. The cumulative total investment between 2006-2022 surpassed $1.26 billion or adjusted for inflation $1.63 billion!
Chillicothe’s Central School Apartments Wins Best Downtown Housing Project Award
The Zabka family renovated the historic Central School of Chillicothe, a building that educated children since the late 1800s, slated for demolition. The Zabka family turned the 58,000 square foot building into residential and commercial housing units, creating 11 twobedroom units, 12 one-bedroom units, and a Daycare Center. The housing and childcare needs are essential for a growing small town, and the preservation of the town’s history and memories is important for many Chillicothe residents. The project preserved many features of the old school, such as the playground and the original school bell. They gave a special tour of the renovated building to the retired teachers, who reminisced about their classrooms and students. They marveled at their old classrooms that were now spacious and modern apartments. The Zabka family is committed to Chillicothe and its downtown revitalization. Nathan Zabka is a former firefighter, a current paramedic teacher, and a lover of historic buildings. Nathan volunteers his time to many community projects and organizations. He is inventive and courageous in finding solutions to save old buildings and make them useful and enjoyable for generations to come.
Grundy County Health Department
1716 Lincoln Street, Trenton • 359-4196


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