The People Energizing Places (PEP) Grant and the Strategic Teams Engaging Places (STEP) Grant were created to meet the growing need for advanced training and assistance within Missouri Main Street communities. Recognizing the challenges faced by Main Street organizations, these grants aim to provide structured support to elevate local revitalization efforts.

PEP Grant: This two-year grant offers comprehensive services with a 75/25 matching structure, where the community contributes 25% of the total cost, amounting to $9,600. The grant focuses on advanced training and development, positioning Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) as a vital partner in advancing your Main Street program.

STEP Grant: This one-year grant emphasizes sustainable revitalization through expert guidance and individualized training. Like the PEP Grant, it operates on a 75/25 matching basis, with the community responsible for 25% of the costs, totaling $5,000. The program is designed to enhance downtown development and strategic initiatives.

By applying for either grant, your organization will partner with Missouri Main Street Connection to achieve greater effectiveness and impact, ensuring continued success in your Main Street endeavors.

The Missouri Main Street program does sometimes offer financial grants to designated Main Street programs in Missouri, but that is not part of either the People Energizing Places or Strategic Teams Engaging People Grant participants. As noted in application document, extensive technical assistance and training will be provided by MMSC as its share of the Matching Grant and contracted downtown revitalization consultants may be brought in to assist with training and paid for by MMSC. 

WalkWorks is pleased to announce its ninth round of funding for the development of Active Transportation Plans. Grants and technical assistance will be offered to a limited number of municipalities and planning organizations to assist with the development of Active Transportation Plans during the period of July 2025 through June 2026. These plans are essential to efforts to establish activity-friendly routes that connect people to everyday destinations, thereby expanding opportunities for physical activity and improving public health. 

In the context of this Funding Opportunity, active transportation includes walking, biking, using a wheelchair, and accessing public transit. 

Eligible applicants include municipalities, Metropolitan and Rural/Regional Planning Organizations (MPOs/RPOs), and other governmental entities, such as counties, with the capacity to complete the proposed project and adopt the resulting plans.

To apply for funds for the development of an active transportation plan, in accordance with the WalkWorks Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), please EITHER complete the application included as an appendix in the FOA word document, save as a PDF, and combine with relevant resolution or letter, letters of support, and budget and match documentation in (single) PDF format and submit by email to pawalkworks@padowntown.org OR submit the same information through this online submission platform.

There will be an optional webinar provided reviewing the FOA and application on Tuesday, February 4, from noon to 1:00 p.m. on zoom. Register here. The webinar will be recorded, posted, and shared with all registrants.

Questions about the FOA that have not been addressed during the webinar can be submitted in writing to pawalkworks@padowntown.org by 5:00 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Written responses to questions will be distributed to all webinar registrants and any who submit questions by March 14, 2025.

 Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2025.

This interface is intended to assist you in reporting on the development of your Active Transportation Plan to WalkWorks. It will document your work and the way the grants funds are being applied.

For subsequent submissions, to the extent that any one of the activities has been completed and reflected in an earlier report or is not relevant to the period on which you are reporting, there is no need to address it again. 

This interface is intended to assist you in reporting on the development of your Active Transportation Plan to WalkWorks. It will document your work and the way the grants funds are being applied.

For subsequent submissions, to the extent that any one of the activities has been completed and reflected in an earlier report or is not relevant to the period on which you are reporting, there is no need to address it again. 

The Townie Awards celebrate both the community and the work done by Main and Elm Street Managers across the Commonwealth. Please refer to these guidelines to see where your community projects fit within the Main Street approach and the Townie Guidelines. Categories include Organizational Excellence, Physical Improvements & Design, Asset Enhancement, Anchor Building, Safe Clean & Green, Volunteer of the Year and other prestigious awards. 

Please read through the guidelines and note the Lifetime Achievement Award must be first submitted to PDC's Executive Director, Julie Fitzpatrick. 

Contact Conference Coordinator, Virginia Mauk at virginiamauk@padowntown.org with questions.