Mission Statement
Aurora Downtown Project is a community driven, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote, revitalize, and enhance our downtown district through the Main Street Approach™. Through partnerships, innovation, and community engagement, we are dedicated to drive economic growth, celebrate our unique history, and improve the overall quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and plays in downtown.
Vision Statement
We envision a welcoming place where businesses flourish, diversity is celebrated, and residents and visitors alike gather together in the heart of the community.
As a Missouri Main Street Affiliate program, Aurora Downtown Project, Inc is a recognized, leading program among the state network of more than 50 districts and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
How Main Street works — the Four‑Point Approach
As a Missouri Main Street program, our work follows the nationally proven Main Street Approach™, organized around four points that reinforce one another:
-
Economic Vitality
Strengthening downtown’s businesses, filling empty buildings, and supporting the people who invest here.
-
Design
Making downtown inviting and walkable — storefronts, public spaces, signage, and historic character.
-
Promotion
Bringing people downtown through events, marketing, and telling Aurora’s story.
-
Organization
Building the volunteers, partners, and funding that keep the whole effort moving.
It all serves the same four words at the heart of our mission: preserve, promote, revitalize, and enhance downtown Aurora.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Our Board is a dedicated group of community leaders working together to revitalize Downtown and drive positive change. Their expertise and passion help guide our mission forward.
Carrie Howlett
City Liaison
“My lifelong roots in Aurora drive me to be very passionate about this community and the continued betterment of it. I am committed to working collaboratively with our elected officials, dedicated city staff, community partners, and most importantly, the residents of this city to ensure we continue to make Aurora the best place to live, work and play.”
Hannah Rader
Past President
“Downtown is where I’ve built my business and raised my family, and it’s a place that means a lot to me. Being involved with this nonprofit allows me to invest in the future of our downtown. I’m proud to be part of a community that continues to grow and support one another.”
John Nevin
Board Member
“The downtown square and classic courthouse are what brought my family to Aurora. With nearby historic homes, a library, a museum, a giant park, and affordable living, we have tremendous upside. That foundation is already attracting growth, investment, and new businesses, but we’re just getting started. As a downtown property owner with children growing up here, I have a direct stake, and I’m here to help.”
Hannah Rader was one of the founding members of Aurora Downtown Project. As the owner of The Garden Exchange, she started organizing community events and was the driving force behind the first Community Christmas event. After a visit to Lebanon Missouri, she was inspired to bring a Main Street Program to her hometown and approached Carrie Howlett at The City of Aurora about forming a partnership to start the organization. Over the years, she has been a successful teambuilder both with The Garden Exchange and with The Aurora Downtown Project. In June 2026, she sold the business to her manager, Kristy Owens, and resigned as a board member of Aurora Downtown Project.
Aurora Downtown Project Memories
Transparency & accountability
We’re a community nonprofit, and we take the trust that comes with that seriously. We’re committed to being open about our work, our impact, and how funds are used.
- Annual review: see what downtown accomplished this year on our annual review.
- Financials & governance: our board bylaws, meeting minutes, and financial summaries are available on request — just ask. (We plan to post these here as they’re prepared each year.)
- Questions: anything you’d like to understand about how ADP works? Reach the board anytime.
Contact us
Visit our contact page to reach the board, ask a question, or submit a photo of downtown.