Usually, approximately 18 to 25 people attend, with the host business invited to tell about their business and any future events, she said.
” City representatives (Dave Martin or Rachel Pruitt) usually give a city update and a Fort (Scott National Historic Site) representative usually announces upcoming fort events,” Madison said.

Some of the projects and ideas that have come out of the meetings include:

• A new downtown shopping brochure was completed in 2017.
• The Toy Soldier Project was started Christmas 2017.
• Businesses are encouraged to decorate windows for special events, i.e. patriotic for Symbols of Sacrifice, Naturalization Ceremony, etc.
• There is a discussion about co-op advertising opportunities for retailers to go together on, i.e. TV ads, etc.
• A new parking sign was installed on Wall Street in the city parking lot where the depot is located, to promote additional parking downtown.
• A short-term parking sign was installed in front of Papa Don’s, following discussion of the group.
• Ideas for downtown events and promotions are discussed, such as 10% off items on Kansas Day if shoppers wear a sunflower, the Halloween parade, the Christmas parade, and Downtown Open House events, Sales Tax Holiday (first weekend in August), 3rd Saturday Marketplace events, including when to hold the events.
• Informing attendees of grants/incentives available to downtown businesses.
• A scarecrow contest was held in the past to create fall decorating.
• New downtown banners for the light poles were the result of discussion at the meetings.
• Ideas for new murals, for instance, to replace Star Emporium mural at the north end of Main Street.

“We are always soliciting new ideas and volunteers to help organize any type of events or promotions,” Madison said.