Chanute commissioners heard a presentation on the Main Street Chanute program from one of its board members and continued discussion before approving funding for the program at Monday evening’s commission meeting.
The commission voted Monday to approve its agreement to fund $32,000 in four quarterly payments. The city made one payment and commissioners asked in December for a work session to discuss the program, which was never scheduled.
Main Street board member Dan Mildfelt said withholding funding was a rebuke during his request the funds be restored. In a prepared statement, he talked about the history of the program, the opposition it faced and efforts to restore downtown buildings, including those that now house the Chamber of Commerce and Chanute Tribune.
Mildfelt said the program has brought 38 new businesses to Main Street in the 26 years it has been in place and invested $13.5 million. He said more than 900 people work downtown, about twice the number in 1991.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)