During the 2021 Main Street Now Conference last spring, I was struck by an idea to purchase a domain name. While we weren't an official Main Street Community, and we still haven't received that title, I am confident that we will. Either way, we have people interested in revitalizing our downtown, and we'll need a landing page to showcase that work and keep the community informed. It was for this reason that I found and purchased the domain name Americasdowntown.org. Total investment: $9. Total meaning: Priceless.
I want to spend some time today discussing why I believe we're deserving of such a lofty name and what we can do to live up to it. 

When discussions about vibrant Downtowns start, and people share their favorite destinations, the names of these places are usually repeated: Breckenridge, CO, Fredericksburg, TX, Oklahoma City's Bricktown, or Lawrence's Mass Street. Yes, these are great spaces with entertainment, atmosphere, and food, but the reality is that they're the exception, not the rule. Far more communities find themselves in our situation, which is why we're such a great model for the real American Downtown. 

We do have history. Many of the historic buildings and hotels that once lined our streets have been lost to progress, fire, tornadoes, or neglect; but that doesn't mean that great buildings with great character don't still exist. Almost all of the buildings still standing between the railroad tracks and fourth street along Kansas Avenue are more than a century old. The names of former businesses can still be found painted in faded letters along some of them. These buildings have seen much over the last century, and there's no reason why they can't be brought back into service for the next century. 

We do have challenges. Most of the facades that highlight the historic images of downtown Liberal are covered by sheet metal or stucco now. While this creates a hurdle to great skyline shots, we should be thankful that our historic facades are still there. It's just a matter of us uncovering them and bringing them back to life. The downtown as a destination has also changed over the last few decades as our priorities shifted and our evenings transitioned to drive-thru, online shopping, and streaming TV. 

We do have potential. What excites me most about our downtown is that we have the opportunity to create the destination that we want. We have some phenomenal local business owners who have invested incredible amounts of time, money, and energy into their buildings, their businesses, and our downtown. We also have some great empty spaces that could be filled with new and exciting shops, restaurants, and lofts. 

We do have culture. According to the 2010 Census, Seward County had the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the United States. We have been a community of immigrants since the first pioneers settled here to raise broom corn and watermelons 150 years ago. The potential for us to enjoy the culture, language, cuisine, customs, and talents of our community is greater here than anywhere else. 

We're not Breckinridge. We're not Lawrence. We're Liberal. We're America's Downtown. We have much that can be done to make our downtown better, and with the help of the community, we can do just that. For starters, I would like to invite to take this short survey about your vision for Downtown Liberal and what you think would make it better. 

Liberal Downtown Vision Survey

On Monday, March 28, we hosted our second annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge event. This is open to high school students in the Entrepreneurship program at LHS, and this year's competition included forty student entries. Because of the large numbers, Network Kansas--the host organization--allowed us to hold two local competitions. The winners of both competitions are now qualified to compete at the Kansas Entrepreneurship Competition (KEC) hosted by K-State on April 28. 

More than 1,000 students across the state of Kansas competed in this year's YEC program, a number that continues to rise. Not only does this competition offer the students a number of opportunities to develop soft skills and presentation practice; it also gives them hands-on experience developing business plans and studying cash flow and balance sheets. Many students involved in YEC are either currently making money through their business or plan to start the business after high school. 

The day would not have been a success without the support of local sponsors and judges. The Liberal Conference Center once again played host to the event, offering a phenomenal location for students to experience a professional trade-show environment. Judges included local business and civic leaders from Southern Pioneer Electric, the Liberal Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Liberal, SCCC, LHS, New Beginnings Church, Seward County, the Landmark Building, and Network Kansas. 

Monday's competition in Liberal showcased a wide variety of business concepts with everything from indoor soccer arenas to cultural art centers winning awards. The two champions are included in the photos below. Other students receiving awards included Coraima Chavira, Jalyssa Head, Karel Mancia, Gumaro Gonzalez, Brooke Nelson, and Alana King.

Statewide Housing StoryMaps

As the housing shortage across our state and the country continues to interfere with local business growth and workforce challenges, the state is offering more insight into our dilemma through their findings in the state-wide housing study. Originally presented in narrative form with accompanying charts and graphs, their design team has now prepared story maps for the collective state and specific regions. Below are the links to each of these story maps should you want to view the housing data specifically. Each map addresses these categories:

Population, Minority Population, Age Composition, Income, Employment, Housing, Vacancy, Housing Value and Age, Housing Condition, Owner Affordability, Renter Affordability, What People Are Saying, The Demand for Housing, and Housing Opportunities and Challenges, 

Statewide Story Map

Southwest Kansas Story Map

On March 23, 150 Kansans from 77 communities converged at Newton, Kansas, for the WeKan! Conference hosted by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The event included keynote speakers, break-out sessions, and round-table discussions--all dealing with Kansas and the great work being done in communities large and small throughout the state. Here were some key takeaways.

Rural Still Rules Kansas
While the statistical models show the population of Kansas focusing on a few growing cities (Wichita, Kansas City, etc.) the overwhelming theme of this conference was that rural communities still have a place and rural communities are still attractive to many people. The conference included participants ranging in age from 15-76, each one representing a rural community or business that's choosing to live and work in a small town in Kansas. 

Communities Can Change the Narrative
Certain communities have figured out what it takes to move the needle in their town. The challenges we face across this state are ubiquitous--housing shortages, lack of professional/skilled workforce, vibrant downtowns--but the towns who presented at the conference have found ways to combat some or all of these. Humbolt, Kansas (population 1,800) has revitalized its downtown and convinced the residents that they can have the same amenities that they used to drive somewhere to enjoy. They're opening six more new businesses in the next six weeks. The city of Great Bend dedicated $1 million of its ARPA funds to a Downtown Loft Project. This pairs with their new entertainment district that includes a common consumption area for monthly events. 

It Just Takes Someone Willing To Try
Emporia, Kansas has been leading the rural rebirth over the last few years with its Dirty Kanza gravel bike race and its world-class disk golf tournament, but the community is also taking smaller steps to improve the quality of life for its people. Three years ago, one man was determined to learn Spanish. Rather than seeking traditional education, he formed the Emporia Spanish Speakers. The group had three attendees on the first night. Since then, it's grown to over 200 with a steady attendance of fifty. They meet twice a month at different locations around town and simply practice speaking Spanish to each other. They also offer a K-5 cultural exploration class and have partnered with Emporia State University to create a Customer Service Spanish program for their local businesses, which will launch in June.

The majority of our work at the development corporation consists of supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses as they start or expand their operations. Through our partners, we can provide the expertise and the funding that these ventures need in order to be successful. These same partners and networks also connect us to resources outside of Seward County. This month will bring new opportunities for learning and networking that can help the businesses and communities here at home. 

• April 1: Development Corporation Monthly Board Meeting
• April 5: To the Stars Business Awards 
• April 8: SW Economic Developer Roundtable
• April 14: WKREDA Executive Board Meeting
• April 27: Jon Schallert's Destination Business Workshop
• April 28: Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge State Competition