Aurora Downtown Project:
Growth, Partnership, and Community Momentum
From just a small group of three people at the beginning, the vision of the Aurora Downtown Project (ADP) has grown through a series of town hall meetings, engaging local support to brainstorm ideas. The board has grown to eight strong and there are six committees with a total of 22 volunteers. In 2025 thanks to a USDA grant, facilitated by MMSC, consultants were brought in to provide professional services for the organization. An architect created renderings for two historic buildings, a branding guide was created with new logos, and an Economic Development Plan was created.
Fundraising and partnerships have played an important role in supporting the mission. In 2025 ADP successfully hosted its second annual golf tournament, Drives For Downtown, which has become a key fundraising event that brings together local businesses, sponsors, and community members in support of downtown improvements. Along with other fundraising efforts, including an annual drive and sponsorships, ADP has a team working with a professional grant writer to target relevant grants.
In 2025, ADP raised $42,000 in fundraising, secured $2,000 in grants, and logged 1235 volunteer hours. These efforts supported the opening of seven new downtown businesses. Year-over-Year visits downtown are +15.7% and Yo3Y visits are at a strong +4.4%, demonstrating clear and measurable community impact.
Along with providing support and collaboration, the City of Aurora has made significant investments of its own, including the renovation of City Hall. This improvement, carried out alongside the initiatives of ADP, signals strong local leadership and a shared dedication to creating a vibrant and thriving downtown district. City Manager, Carrie Howlett, has served as City liaison to the board from the outset.
Marketing Workshops have been held, followed by Catalyst Aurora, a seminar where University of Missouri Extension, Missouri SBDC Elevate Program, Innovate SOMO and Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis presented their programs, 45 people attended.
Building a business inventory, conducting a survey of business owners, and setting up a billboard to drive traffic, ADP has helped to strengthen the local economy. Since 2024, nine new businesses have opened in downtown Aurora, bringing renewed energy, services, and opportunities to the community. The Main Street BOOMS tracker is being used to document property and encourage investment in the downtown district.
There are a number of new businesses started by Aurora natives who have decided to return to their home town after some time spent elsewhere. “It feels good to be back in my hometown.” Vivian Bruner, who started Front Porch Mercantile in 2025.
“I always wanted to own a historic building downtown; I really wanted to be part of the revitalization and bring another business to the community.” Dawne Votra, owner Olive Street Mercantile
Celebrating history with a heartfelt effort to recognize local veterans and active-duty service members, a military banner program was started. In 2024, 45 Hometown Heroes banners were purchased and displayed on downtown light poles. Participation grew significantly in 2025, with 59 banners displayed. Today, the program continues to expand, with a total of 71 banners proudly lining downtown streets. Local groups gather in May for a Veterans Celebration to offer a tribute to our veterans.
One of the most significant achievements is the funding and planning of Madison Square Park, a new pocket park that will be located in the heart of downtown Aurora. The project fulfills a shared vision to create a welcoming public space that encourages gathering, creativity, and community connection. Developed in partnership with the City of Aurora, who owns the lot, and supported by multiple funding sources, it demonstrates strong local investment and community partnership. To date, $8,000 has been raised through Drives for Downtown 2025, $2,000 has been contributed by The Aurora Beautification Company, and ADP recently received a $2,500 grant from the Aurora Area Community Foundation. This will be a great way to make use of a vacant lot.
To help create an inviting public space, volunteer driven downtown clean-up days were organized, reinforcing a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining a welcoming downtown environment. Local groups including Project Rise, Aurora FFA, and Aurora JAG joined in the effort. Flowers have been planted and new planters have been purchased, thanks to an Aurora Area Community Foundation grant. Towards the end of 2025, the ADP board approached the City of Aurora with a proposed agreement to secure funding for the next year. Council included funds in the 2026 budget for ADP, and also included funding for a Downtown Façade Grant Program. The City has also introduced a Vacant Commercial Building Registration and Inspection Ordinance.
Community Christmas began as a small event hosted by a local business owner and quickly outgrew their facility, drawing nearly 3,500 attendees by its second year. Recognizing the need for a sustainable downtown venue, ADP was formed in 2023. Since then, ADP has successfully hosted Community Christmas annually, anchoring the event within broader downtown revitalization efforts.
Downtown Farmers Market was started in 2025 and has become a focus of Friday evenings in downtown, along with live music and an art walk. Enhancing wellness and supporting the local economy through a welcoming environment for regional producers, the Farmers Market is held on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, May–August, from 5 PM to dusk, and features homegrown and homemade goods from within 75 miles of Aurora. Last year, ADP hosted 47 vendors.
ADP has demonstrated what is possible when volunteers, local government, businesses, and community members work together toward a shared vision. Guided by collaboration and community pride, ADP continues to focus on creating a vibrant downtown that serves as a gathering place, an economic engine, and a source of pride for the entire community.
“As a result of the consistent efforts being made by the Aurora Downtown Project, I have seen a new improved attitude toward downtown by the community.” Jack Muench, President of First Independent Bank
The above was our application for the award, see the attached press release for more information about the presentation.