Cities Stunned By Kansas Main Street Shutdown
Associated Press - Sun 07:46 PM 09/23/2012
Kansas Main Street offered training sessions, technical guidance and zero-interest matching loans for small-business development.
The abrupt demise of a popular state program that helped Kansas communities revitalize their downtowns has left officials in many cities disappointed and perplexed.
State Commerce Secretary Pat George announced the immediate shutdown of the 27-year-old Kansas Main Street program in an email Thursday to directors of the 25 local Main Street programs around the state. George said the move was part of a department restructuring.
Kansas Main Street offered training sessions, technical guidance and zero-interest matching loans for small-business development.
In northeastern Kansas, Holton Main Street executive director Bob Carlson said the loans kept some small towns from drying up commercially. Carlson says most of the local programs will continue to exist, but the training and guidance from the state program will be missed.
Comments must stay on topic and be respectful. Comments that are personal attacks, make unfounded accusations, or are for the purpose of "trolling" or inciting others will be removed. Offending users will have their profile suspended.
Post a comment Log in or Register to comment
Victory2012
Sunday 23 September 2012 19:55 Report this comment
Thank you Mr. Brownback. He does not care about Kansas or keeping small town Kansas alive. He only cares about the Koch brothers and his own delusions of being elected to national office in 2016. D's Should be plenty of great talking points by then. No wonder his popularity fell through the floor.
troy
Sunday 23 September 2012 21:43 Report this comment
Actually I think he cares a lot and this "life support" for main street is something that needs to go. The Koch brothers are very successful, do you feel the same way about George Soros? Those businesses which succeed are rewarded with nice profits for their hard work. Why would anyone feel badly about that. Is the company you work for successful? I hope so, they provide you a paycheck for your hard work. That is how the system works. Businesses which rely on grants and hand outs are simply delaying the painful reality of a slow death at the taxpayers expense.
Iamgonnagetu
Sunday 23 September 2012 21:48 Report this comment
Looks like redneckwatch is back as victory2012. Everyone keep an eye on him/her/ it.
stirthepot
Sunday 23 September 2012 21:52 Report this comment
@Troy I agree with you. We need to get back to providing basic services. We do not need to continue to support alot of projects that are someones fantasy. If a business or institution cannot make it on their own then it is time for it to go.
IamMe
Sunday 23 September 2012 22:39 Report this comment
So Troy, according to you, QE3 is just stalling the future demise of wall street? Why would we need "life support" for the "corporate 500"? Interesting you walk one way one Sunday and different on Monday.
troy
Sunday 23 September 2012 23:01 Report this comment
Walk the same all the time. For those who do not know, quantitive easing is used by the monetary authorities to stimulate the economy by acquiring assets in an attempt to control market interest rates. But we're not talking about wall street. We're talking about our local main street. If the local businesses are going to fail, why keep them alive? Especially with my tax dollars. A better business will not need any help.
Victory2012
Sunday 23 September 2012 23:05 Report this comment
IamMe you took the words right out of my mouth. I don't get a paycheck. I have several businesses (no grants) and work hard for what I have, and I don't mind paying taxes to help the small towns in Kansas and the way of life they represent continue on into the future. The Koch brothers, who inherited their wealth from grandpa and dad (nothing wrong with that) represent the me, me, me group of citizens that I, and the majority of Americans, detest. Brownback is looking out for Brownback and could not get reelected today after all the across-the-board harm he has done to so many Kansans.
Victory2012
Sunday 23 September 2012 23:11 Report this comment
Iamgonnagetu, I am about the 50th person you have accused of being redneckwatch and about the 50th person who has asked you to stop. Get a life or a job or a new obsession. Your boring. Pretty please.
troy
Sunday 23 September 2012 23:14 Report this comment
I am puzzled? The Koch Brothers represent the wealthy. Those who have worked hard for what they have. George Soros represents those who wish to take what I have and redistribute it to someone who sits on their butt all day. You desire to prop up failing businesses with grants while bad mouthing successful businesses. Please describe the me, me, me group? Who are they? The wealthy? Isn't your goal as a business owner to someday be wealthy?
Victory2012
Monday 24 September 2012 00:03 Report this comment
Troy, the Main Street program started in 1985, and provides management training, consultation visits, local program evaluation, design assistance, business enhancement strategies, incentive dollars and continuous training in the four-point approach for board, committee members and program directors. Kansas Main Street is a self-help program. Staff provides technical assistance, but the responsibility and credit for success rests with the community leaders who offer time, expertise and enthusiasm to revitalizing downtown. This is not a handout to failing businesses.
Victory2012
Monday 24 September 2012 00:12 Report this comment
I enjoy a very comfortable standard of living and enjoy paying taxes to support the start and country. I am not out to get richer and richer and richer. The me, me, me group does not share those values. They hate redistribution of wealth (the Koch brothers main beef), but redistribution founded this country and is one of the cornerstones of our Constitutional form of government. There is nothing wrong at all with being uber-rich and successful, but there is with being selfish.
GETALIFE674
Monday 24 September 2012 01:29 Report this comment
victory 2012 you are caught once again. you posted a similiar comment some time back and here you are posting it again. You will never learn hope ksal does.
horsisaz
Monday 24 September 2012 06:16 Report this comment
Thumbs up for Troy.
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 24 September 2012 08:36 Report this comment
Victory2012 I call them as I see them. You just showed up on the scene after rnw was kicked off and use the same arguments. You are as bad as dictator brownback.
ShadowCipher
Monday 24 September 2012 10:29 Report this comment
It is unfortunate to see a program to aid old downtowns revitalize their area. I understand time marches on, and there will always be "progress" however I can't help but be worried about this bit of news. With fuel prices climbing up, people will be forced to either move into thriving cities, or use whatever resources they have near them; if a small town looses it's core businesses, the entire cities population will trickle away... Sometimes I really hate "progress."
banger
Monday 24 September 2012 13:28 Report this comment
Thumbs up for troy.
horsisaz
Monday 24 September 2012 14:35 Report this comment
@shadowcipher,be specific, what is "core businesses"?Name one it created or saved.Look at their web site,most are in large towns.How many state employees does it take to operate this program.To my knowledge most are hobby businesses,like an antique stores or the one I know of is a old time soda fountain in a town with no groceries or gas.