As the downtown goes, so does the city. Hays is making certain its downtown continues to thrive. Years ago, Hays was a part of the state’s Main Street program and hopes to join back up with the newly formed affiliate program the governor introduced last week. El Dorado, Garden City and Sterling are other Kansas towns that are part of the Main Street program. Like Hays, Wellington and Larned have expressed interest in becoming affiliates. By introducing more than 14 events each year, including the annual holiday Frostfest, the Downtown Hays Development Corporation, the nonprofit organization responsible for keeping downtown thriving, is helping to not only increase sales but boost enthusiasm. … “People are starting to recognize where the heart and soul in their community is,” said Sara Bloom, executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation. “It’s in their downtown, and they are starting to reinvest in their downtown.”
Source: McPherson Sentinel
