In 2012, more than 100 private-sector companies came together within the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce) to form the Leadership Council, a group looking for ways to move the region’s economic development forward. Through the group’s ongoing work, it was determined that the best way to achieve the region’s long-term goals was through greater coordination between local businesses, non-profits and government agencies. To facilitate this strategy, the group began the process of forming the Greater Wichita Partnership—an organization that could serve as a hub for collaboration and communication between both public and private sectors. Led by Jeff Fluhr, president of Downtown Wichita, the Greater Wichita Partnership was officially launched in 2015, bringing Downtown Wichita and the Partnership together as a collaborative initiative. With ongoing guidance from the Leadership Council, the Partnership immediately began the process of aligning resources and focusing the community on the common strategies that would fast-forward economic growth both in Wichita and throughout south-central Kansas. To do this, the organization focused on six key strategies: growing primary jobs through the Blueprint for Regional and Economic Growth, providing diversification through entrepreneurship, developing educational and workforce opportunities, improving internal and external perceptions, recruiting and retraining talent and strengthening Downtown vitality. The urban core of Wichita is a critical component to the future of our region. Through the vision of Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita, the Downtown Wichita team drives the implementation of the Downtown strategic priority for the Partnership. Downtown Self Supported Municipal Improvement District SYC A MOR E S T MCL EAN BLV D AR KA NS AS RI VE R OA K S T OSAGE S T DOUGLAS AVE MAPLE ST W IC H ITA ST WATE R ST WACO AV E MA I N S T TO PE K A S T MA R KE T ST EM PO R I A S T BR OA D WAY S T S T. FR A N C IS S T ME A D S T R OC K IS L A N D S T MO S L E Y S T WA SH IN G TO N AV E WA BA S H S T OH IO S T 1ST ST DOUGLAS AVE 3RD ST CENTRAL AVE 2ND ST WILLIAM ST ENGLISH ST WATERMAN ST LEWIS ST DEWEY ST KELLOGG / US 54 INTRUST Bank Arena Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center Advanced Learning Library Downtown Wichita contracts with the City of Wichita to provide Downtown development services. The contract is funded through a Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID). Property owners within the SSMID pay an additional property tax mil levy. The SSMID boundaries are Washington Street, Central Avenue, Kellogg and the Arkansas River. Downtown Wichita leverages annual SSMID funding through private contributions, grants and events. In 2016, Downtown Wichita leveraged SSMID funding with an additional $46,005. In total, from 2009- 2016, Downtown Wichita has leveraged SSMID funding by $594,386.96. DOWNTOWN WICHITA OFFICES 507 E. DOUGLAS AVENUE SSMID DISTRICT Greater Wichita Partnership Joe Johnson, Chair Schaefer, Johnson, Cox & Frey Architecture Alan Banta Trans Pacific Oil Corp. John Belford Belford Electric Jim Faith Emprise Bank Dick Honeyman Hite, Fanning & Honeyman Don Sherman Westar Energy Larry Weber Garvey Center Mary Wright Old Mill Tasty Shop Rod Young Professional Engineering Consultants Scot Rigby City of Wichita Jeff Fluhr Downtown Wichita 2016 SSMID BOARD EX OFFICIO MEMBERS