A KANSAS MAIN STREET ORGANIZATION
Great Bend Alive
Our Four Pillars of Focus
As a member of the Kansas and National Main Street program, we share these same four pillars of progress. Click on any of the four pillars below to learn about the committee, the projects and the progress!
"Downtown is important because it's the heart and soul of any community. If you don't have a healthy downtown, you simply don't have a healthy town."
Ed McMahon
National Main Street Center Board of Directors
Our Mission
To impact positive change in the downtown corridor through development, design, promotion and preservation
Meet Our Board
Joe Andrasek
"Having owned a downtown business for many years, I see the value in continuing to invest in our downtown to create new opportunities for our community"
Cody Schmidt
"As Mayor of Great Bend, I am invested in creating an atmosphere that our community gathers in, makes memories in ntation. ners. and welcomes others to join"
Justin Engleman
"With familial roots to 1878 in Barton County, the history of Great Bend and the surrounding area is very important to I Alive is for myself and my family. Great Bend has such a rich history, value the importance of the preservation and vitality of roup visits " loft presentation downtown for future generations, making it a viable attraction to those visiting to create lasting memories."
Mark Bitter
"Progress is never finished, having an inspired group focused on a vibrant Main Street is important for our community."
Tory Blew
"I'm here to create a place in Kansas where families and friends always know they can come to enjoy their 21 2021 time together and make lasting memories.
Mark Calcara
"People initially measure the economic vitality of your community by the appearance of your downtown. We have a vibrant, thriving community, so we need to make sure we have a downtown that reflects that."
Sheryl Cheely
"When I got involved in the My Town group 15 years we collectively created a vision for downtown. I'm thrilled to be a part of this organization and see so many of those visions coming to life"
Molly Bailly
"After moving back to Great Bend and seeing all of the enthusiasm for meaningful expansion and growth that was happening in and around the area really motivated me to put my hat in the ring and get involved. I want to help ensure that those who come here to visit, live, and pass through, get to experience the excitement that we have for our town, downtown, and community."
Gleason Loft
"My goal is to help improve the quality of life for the residents of Great Bend."
Ryan Fairchild
"A healthy, thriving Main Street is a key for civic pride and growth"
Lee Ann June
"Downtown is the heart of Great Bend and the place I frequent the most. I enjoy being a part of the for loft presen positive changes happening to enhance this community asset!"
Sara Arnberger
"Some of my greatest memories growing up in GB come from downtown! I'm hoping to be apart of d for creating those memories for the next generations!"
Allene Owen
"I'm apart of the Main Street group because I love Great Bend and want to preserve our history and make our downtown come alive once again!"
Shop For Merch
New designs coming all the time!
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April 2021
Great Bend Alive Is formed
July 2021
Loft grants approved
July 2021
Downtown Strategies visits Great Bend and delivers a downtown strategic plan
August 2021
Fridays on Forest makes its debut
November 2021
Upstairs Downtown group visits Great Bend for loft presentation to downtown property owners.
January 2022
Awarded first loft grant to B&H Development for the Masonic Lodge Building.
February 2022
Great Bend becomes a designated Main Street community
May 2022
Downtown Great Bend is officially listed as a state and national historic district
September 2022
Great Bend Alive and BAM parter to create the Art Alley
January 2023
Great Bend Alive restructures Board and Committees, growing to a 34 member GB Alive Team!
February 2023
Great Bend Alive Board and Committees hear from Revitalize or Die's Jeff Sielger
March 2023
Jeff Siegler, Revitalize or Die, came to speak to our Great Bend Alive committee.
May 2023
Great Bend Alive presents a March through Time, Parade & Festival
May 2023
Great Bend Alive presents a March through Time, Parade & Festival
June 2023
Great Bend Alive is committed to downtown, quality of life, and preservation of our local history
June 2023
Main Street America EEE Workshop hosted in Great Bend Kansas
January 2024
Snowball Drop event to help draw shoppers downtown!
September 2024
Love Kansas joins forces with Great Bend Alive for a Homecoming celebration
October 2024
Main Street America holds focus groups in Great Bend Kansas
December 2024
Great Bend Alive takes over the downtown Christmas Window Decorating Contest
January 2025
2nd Annual Snowball Drop
April 2025
Fridays on Forest begins its 5th season
June 2025
Big Bend Bash, details to come
Where We've Been and Where We're Going
Our team will continue to update this timeline with milestones in our organization. We invite you to follow along!