b'Commerce and Culture at the CoreDowntown Wichita is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit that amplifies the energy, capital and growth of downtown by empowering residents, visitors and businesses to explore the possibilities of our citys core. Founded in 2002 as the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC), our mission is to cultivate opportunities that revitalize and enhance Wichitas urban core. We collaborate with stakeholders to stimulate investment and interest in downtown. By connecting resources from the private sector and local government, we steward initiatives that allow commerce and culture to thrive.Downtown Wichita provides collaborative leadership to strengthen downtown as:The heart of the city for all citizensAn active and prosperous place for businesses and employeesA center for artistic and cultural experiencesA vibrant urban environment for residents, workers and visitorsThe Downtown Wichita organization works to achieve this mission through three key areas of focus: developing downtown, marketing downtown and enhancing vibrancy.Our StructureThe organization is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of downtown property owners, business owners and stakeholders and is administered by a professional staff. Downtown Wichita contracts with the City of Wichita to provide economic development services in the citys core. This partnership is funded through a Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), designating downtown as the geographic area bounded by Central Avenue,Kellogg Avenue, Washington Street and the Arkansas River.In 2019, Downtown Wichita leveraged SSMID funding and raised an additional $161,289 in private sector contributions. In total, from 2009-2019, Downtown Wichita has leveraged SSMID funding by raising an additional $1.1 million. Downtown Wichita is an affiliate of the Greater Wichita Partnership, and plays a key role in enhancing quality of place, one of three key strategic priorities for the Partnership organization. Key areas of focus include:DEVELOPING MARKETING ENHANCINGDOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY'