(KAIR)--The City of Atchison is beginning a new venture intended to promote “the development and revitalization of [the city’s core] as a means of economic development.”

That’s according to information provided by the City, following approval at the January 19 meeting of the Atchison City Commission of a resolution supporting the creation of the Atchison Main Street District, as part of the Kansas Main Street Program. Approval by the Commission means using a portion of Transient Guest Tax revenues to help fund the local organization. The revenues would additionally be used to develop an independent Board of Directors to oversee guidance of the organization.

Joe Warren, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Atchison, told MSC News that while the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce is heading up local implementation to begin the program, it would be an independent organization with an independent board. However, the organization is likely to share a staff member with the Chamber “under the current proposal that is being submitted.”

The program, part of the national Main Street America organization, provides training, contacts, trusted programming, and other resources for members.

The State of Kansas, under past Governor Sam Brownback, discontinued its program, but existing Kansas member communities were allowed to keep the Main Street affiliation.

The program has been reinstated by the state under current Governor Laura Kelly, with Warren explaining that Kansas is accepting three new members, with Atchison one of the hopefuls.

Atchison’s application for membership was due Friday, with the Chamber of Commerce working with assistance of members of city staff in seeing the application completed by that date.