Main Street

City of Newton Agenda Main Street Meeting Tuesday, July 14, 2026 @ 11:00 AM 3rd Floor Conference Room Page A. CALL TO ORDER 1. Consider the May 12, 2026 meeting minutes. 2-3 May 12, 2026 Meeting Minutes 2. Mission Statement Discussion 4 Mission Statement Discussion 3. Facade Improvement Grants 5-8 Facade Improvement Grant Facade Improvement Scoring Sheet 4. Main Street America Visit Recap 9 - 15 Transformation Strategy Work Plan 5. Promotions Report 16 Promotions Report 6. Project Updates a. Downtown Sound System b. Common Consumption 7. Adjournment Page 1 of 16  Choose Newton Main Street Minutes May 12, 2026 The Choose Newton Main Street board convened in regular session at 11:04am on May 12, 2026 in the 3rd floor Conference Room at 201 E 6 th Street. Attending were Board Members Powell, Lakey, Carbajal, Hoskinson. Also attending were Main Street Coordinator Lehman, Chamber Director Stevens, CKCF Bontrager. Board president Powell opened the meeting and Main Street Coordinator Lehman presided over the items of business. 1. Consider the minutes from the March 10, 2026 meeting. Carbajal moved to accept the minutes and Lakey 2 nd . Motion passed 2. Promotion Reports a. Past Events Reviewed the events that have already happened and discussed some of the feedback from businesses. b. Upcoming Event s Discussed the upcoming events that are already currently planned. There is at least 1 event per month with Third Thursday. 3. Project Update s a. Downto wn Sound System Gave an update of the Downtown Sound System and Music Licensing. The equipment is in and waiting to find a date to install. We will need to purchase music licenses and will be able to hopefully offset that cost with advertisements b. Common Consumption Discussed the upcoming Common Consumption proposal to city commission on June 9. All Main Street Board members are encouraged to attend along with Downtown business owners. 4. Façade Improvement Grant 1 Newton Main Street Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 2 of 16 At the June 9 City Commission meeting we will also be requesting funding for another round of Façade Improvement Grants. We are requesting $36,000 for 12 grants. 5. Mission Statement Discussion Ran out of time to do a discussion on our Mission Statement. The request was made to put that at the beginning of our agenda for the next meeting. Lehman will send all Board members the current Mission Statement along with some sample statements from other communities. 6. Main Street America & Kansas Main Street Updates Discussed the upcoming KMS and MSA trainings and visit. Board members are invited to board training in Ottawa, KS on June 2. No board members can attend. Main Street America will be in Newton on June 15 th. All board members are requested to attend. This will be an update on the transformational strategy visit that happened a year and half ago. 7. Con ference Recap Lehman gave a brief overview of the Main Street America conference and the seminars that she attended. We were fortunate to have 4 individuals from Newton in attendance at the conference. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:38 p.m. 2 Newton Main Street Meeting Minutes May 12, 2026 Page 3 of 16  TO: Main Street Board FROM: Jennifer Lehman DATE: July 14, 2026 SUBJECT: Mission Statement Discussion PURPOSE: Current Mission Statement Choose Newton Main Street is committed to increasing consumer business, strengthening retail and professional institutions, assisting in the preservation and maintenance of the community’s heritage and promoting pride in the community’s institutions and achievements through design, promotion, business enhancement, and organization committees. Proactively focus on Newton’s Main Street development opportunities and needs, guiding strategic investment in developing Newton, with careful attention to retail and commercial growth, housing, and quality of life amenities.  To encourage, foster, and stimulate the preservation of historic downtown Newton  To stimulate downtown economic development by encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the business community  To promote a positive image for downtown as an exciting place to live, shop, and invest  To improve the appearance and function of the historic downtown  To receive, administer, and distribute funds in connection with the activities related to the above purposes Page 4 of 16 7/7/26, 4:03 PM Facade Improvement Grant Facade Improvement Grant Today's Date 07/07/2026 Address of Property Parcel # Building Owner Building Owner Mailing Address Historic Building/District? Yes No Unsure Contact Person Phone Email Date of Building Construction (if known) https://us.openforms.com/Form/426061f0-4039-4c84-b535-d0128d1c35a1 1/2 Page 5 of 16 7/7/26, 4:03 PM Facade Improvement Grant Are all taxes current? Yes No Briefly Describe the scope of the project Estimated Budget Provide up to 5 photos of the existing condition of the area to be addressed Select file  Drop a file to upload it Max file size: 50 MB Max number of files: 20 Powered by Forms & Workflow https://us.openforms.com/Form/426061f0-4039-4c84-b535-d0128d1c35a1 2/2 Page 6 of 16  Choose Newton Main Street Façade Improvement Grant Scoring Sheet Applicant Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Project Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Property Use: _______________________________________________________________________ Property Status: _____ Owner Occupied _____ Leased to Tenants If leased, does the building owners approve of renovations? _____ Yes _____ No Historic Building: _____ Yes _____No Are all taxes current: _____Yes _____No Has the applicant previously received funding: • Yes, in the last year and the project was not complete (0) • Yes, in the last 2-3 years and the project was not complete (1) • Yes, in the last year and the project was completed (2) • Yes, in the last 2-3 years and the project was completed (4) • No, they have applied and not been awarded or never applied (5) Points: __________ Impact of the Current Condition: • Project site does not have a demonstrated need for improvement (0) • Project site’s need for improvement is nominal (1-3) • Project site’s need for improvement is preferable (4-6) • Project site's need for improvement is extraordinary (7-10) Points: __________ Page 7 of 16 Impact of the Improvement: • Project does not enhance the properties’ appearance (0) • Project slightly improves the properties’ appearance (1) • Project moderately improves the properties’ appearance (2) • Project considerably improves properties’ appearance by bringing it into conformance with the Design Guidelines or up to city requirements (3-4) • Significant enhancements, project has a transformational impact on the district (5) Points: __________ Project Visibility: • No to minimal visibility (0) • Low visibility (1) • Medium visibility (2-3) • High visibility (4-5) Points: ______ Discretionary Points • Project is a blighted or vacant property, where the project is likely to help result in occupancy (0-10) • Project will substantially help the existing business (0-10) • The building owner/business has been or will be doing work to improve their business and the downtown district (0-5) Points: ______ Total Points: _______ / 50 Award Amount: $__________________ Page 8 of 16  TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY WORK PLAN FY26 Organization Name: Choose Newton Main Street Date: June 15 2026 Town, State: Newton, KS Completed by: Vision: Under development Transformation Strategy #1: Strengthen Transformation Strategy #2: Increase Downtown Community Engagement & Pride Vibrancy & Foot Traffic Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 1 Goal 2 Encourage community building activities Create a Welcoming Place to Call Home: Increase transparency & engagement Enhance aesthetics downtown & events, & partner with groups to Invest in Downtown support their efforts Lead: Lead: Lead: Lead: Transformation Strategy #3: Expand Support of Business & Property owners Goal 1 Goal 2 Provide programs to support business & Create a welcoming place to call home and invest in downtown property owners Lead: Lead: Transformation Strategy #1: Strengthen Community Engagement & Pride Goal 1: Define Success: 6 businesses use stickers or make branded product, Maintain open rate on E-Newsletter, add 100 users annually, Increase transparency & engagement produce 100 printed newsletters and distribute at 5 locations, be featured in Bethel newsletter 4 times per year. Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion Flag initiative develop flags, order GOAL: Brand Jen Design identity and awareness Flag initiative - stickers provide to businesses Provide artwork to businesses at no charge to use for Promotion & EV products, ex) ISD adopted for new uniforms ISD Partners & Develop & implement promotions like Cheer & dance Homecoming Promotion flag competition committee Develop & Launch new website Added new Jen must be staff Organization downtown section Maintain and update Choose Newton website Jen must be staff quarterly Organization Promotion Monthly community newsletter Email newsletter typically 100 new users per year, 40% open rate approx. 1500 users today. Continue monthly Promotion to add 100 users annually, maintain open rate ADD Printed Newsletter, distribute to senior center, Interurban driver Promotion library. retirement centers ADD Bethel newsletter downtown spotlight and Heidy Promotion & EV business feature Page 9 of 16 ADD QR Code direct to Choose Newton to city utility Jen must be staff Promotion billing Total 0 Page 10 of 16 Transformation Strategy #1: Strengthen Community Engagement & Pride Goal 2: Define Success: Increase participation at events by community, businesses and volunteers. Hold three events and track # of Create a Welcoming Place to Call Home: Invest in Downtown business participating in the event, impact on sales form representative sample of business, # of volunteers, # of volunteer hours, Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion # of attendees, # of Bloom in Newton New event 2026, tied to new Jen business participating, EV and Promotion pottery business and the release of new pottery business sales averages # of attendees, # of Pumpkin Patch New event in 2026 tied to pottery Jen business participating, EV and Promotion release business sales averages Five places of Christmas , features historical places, 2 # of attendees Promotion of which are downtown Mural program- Develop partnership with Newton Constance 1 location identified Design mural organization Lauren Kurtz at young Homecoming Promotion Life Involve more volunteers in promotions through-- # of new volunteers #of Being ambassadors -- where is parking, providing volunteers that work maps, sharing program event info., supporting hands Organization with multiple events, on activities. Target Bethel students, career tech at Volunteer hours high school, NHS Total 0 Page 11 of 16 Transformation Strategy #2: Increase downtown vibrancy & foot traffic Goal 1: Define Success: Enhance aesthetics downtown Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion increased customers to Wayfinding signage from 135 to downtown at Jen businesses (side Design Roundabouts KDOT and City streets) 40% of total by Business & Building Inventory Part time intern EV December 2026 Business spotlight to encourage participation in the 13 spotlights Design & EV business inventory Photo inventory of buildings with SHPO 30-40 submissions Downtown Sound System $40K private donations business sponsors to add on Main for 4 blocks. Design Annual expanse of sound cloud $35 monthly. Digital billboards existing project on 135 at outlet mall investigate other locations Blue Highway sings cost $10K per business to participate. Investigate option of partnering or a grant program for part of this cost, investigate the return on the sign investment Total 0 Page 12 of 16 Transformation Strategy #2: Increase downtown vibrancy & foot traffic Goal 2: Define Success: # of events that include direct business engagement, 3 of attendees, representative sample of business sales and Encourage community building activities & events, & partner with groups to support their efforts foot traffic, # of partners producing events, Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion Merry Little Main Street every Sat in Nov and Dec Build a snowman, 18 & under makers market, Promotion & EV window wonderland, shop small, 5 places, Picture yourself, caroling, wrap up your shopping track # of visitors Third Thursday shop toll 8pm goal: discover what's downtown during Promotion & EV here, build community evening hours Promotion & EV Putt Putt at a business with Third Thursday Makers Market April &thru October with chamber # of vendors, EV & Promotion happens Third Thursday Car Show put on by CRT Chaplain response Team as a Promotion fundraiser for them Open Streets put on by United Way provide and staff Promotion & Organization Choose Newton booth Taste of Newton put on by Chamber provide and Promotion staff Choose Newton booth Art Carnival put on by Carriage Factory. Free kids art Promotion activities Chili Cook-Off put on by United Way Promotion Promotion Halloween Walk put on by Lions Club Parade of Lights put on by Lions Club is same weekend as 5 places and a new Choose Newton Promotion & EV event Food trucks -- are permitted through Fire marshal to be located in multiple towns - easier and reduces their costs to participate. A food truck can be an incubator for a future restaurant Total 0 Strategy 3: Expand Support of Business & Property Owners Page 13 of 16 Goal 1: Define Success: Create a welcoming place to call home and invest in downtown Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion Holiday Decorations - Update Design Add CCA district -- depot District Board president EV Develop business retention & expansion team with EV EV visitation schedule & plan for in person contacts Wine Walk Third Thursday and a revenue generator EV Chocolate Walk with Wichita cholate third Thursday EV Total 0 Transformation Strategy #3: Expand Support of business & property owners Goal 2: Define Success: Provide programs to support business & property owners Partners: Task Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion Build downtown property and business owner email # of business & EV list property owners added Provide Market Data Analysis EV Survey of topics that would be helpful to talk on and 10 responses to survey Organization follow up to secure speakers Monthly newsletter to business & Property owners Organization Facade program funding, applications, reviews Design Connect Downtown meetings rotate businesses quarterly Organization hosting and include an educational piece monthly Complete need annual Small Business Guide EV updates Historic Preservation Assistance Design Market Data Analysis EV Incubator space -- develop a plan for how to pursue with WSU as a partner to include free classes or low Board cost classes with timeline partners and financial Community calendar for businesses and general CVB events that can be filtered or sorted Cooperative marketing opportunities EV Total 0 EV Current Operations Annual operations Define Success: sustainable operations with increasing membership and funding and partnerships annually. Increasing social media metrics, and community presentations Partners: Task : Volunteer Responsible Staff Responsible Due Date Progress Budget EV, Org, Design or Promotion Page 14 of 16 Transition to stand alone board 9 members, include Board Organization ex-officio positions for chamber, foundation Presentations to Council, chamber, ISD, rotary Lions -- Board Organization annually Annual budget process with City Board Organization Monthly board meetings Organization Historic train depot RFP Process with City EV Participation in City Comprehensive plan process Board Organization Grow & Manage volunteers - - possible partner" Organization Healthy Harvey Coalition Develop fundraising and sponsorship plan/ packages Board Organization Design & Org working on two historic preservation grants Total 0 Page 15 of 16  TO: Main Street Board FROM: Jennifer Lehman DATE: July 14, 2026 SUBJECT: Promotions Report PURPOSE: Wine Walk – 219 tickets sold July 16 – Third Thursday: Art Walk August 20 – Third Thursday: Farmers & Flowers  Build a Bouquet Event – partner with Ruzen August 27 – Newton Area Chamber College Night September 17 – Third Thursday: Newton Schools Night September 23 – Homecoming Parade & Pep Rally October 15 – Third Thursday: Taste of Newton November 7 – Merry Little Main Street: Progressive Craft November 14 – Merry Little Main Street: Youth Makers Market November 19 – Third Thursday: NewtonsGiving November 21 – Merry Little Main Street: Window Wonderland & Tree Lighting November 28 – Merry Little Main Street: Small Business Saturday December 3 – Lions Club Parade of Lights December 5 – Merry Little Main Street: 5 Places of Christmas December 12 – Merry Little Main Street: Picture Yourself Downtown & Caroling December 17 – Third Thursday: Christmas December 19 – Merry Little Main Street: Wrap Up Your Christmas Shopping Page 16 of 16