There's a new director, ready to get to work

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Brandon Kuehn, as the new Executive Director of the Historic Midtown Development Group. I am really excited to be a part of this organization. It is filled with many enthusiastic and active people, and is truly heading in a positive direction. HMDG is on the cusp of making some major changes to downtown Sikeston and it's great to come on board at this time.

On that note….the City of Sikeston received notice from Missouri Department of Transportation officials to proceed with the Transportation Enhancement Grant project. Steve Lee, street superintendent for the city of Sikeston stated "The city held a pre-construction meeting with the contractor and MoDOT officials and the project is underway."

As you visit downtown, you may notice quite a bit of this project is in progress already. The new period lighting, sidewalks, crosswalks, park benches and landscaping is targeted to be completed by the Holiday Open House in November.

We would like to thank everyone who came downtown for the Cowboy Up! Festival and Lunch with the Rodeo Clowns and showed their support. It was a big success. We hope you all had fun and look forward to an even bigger event next year.

The Cotton Heritage Festival is right around the corner with many fun and exciting games, contests, and concessions like kettle corn, funnel cakes, and barbecue to name a few. The festival also features a live plant sale from our local nurseries. So come downtown after the Cotton Carnival parade to buy your fall mums, flowers and other plants. It's always a great time and I hope to see you there!

The next HMDG meeting will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Susie's Bake Shop. All are welcome to attend.