Last week, Gov. Matt Blunt selected the Jordan Valley Innovation Center as his backdrop for announcing his DREAM initiative. DREAM — Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri — is a bold initiative to make state redevelopment programs more accessible to communities. The Innovation Center is a great example of the redevelopment activity that is driving the rebirth of downtown Springfield. Other examples include the retail-office-loft development at Wilhoit Plaza and the numerous loft developments throughout downtown. Private investment in downtown is at an all-time high.

But downtown still has challenges to its complete revitalization. There are still vacant storefronts, buildings in need of rehabilitation, and infrastructure to be replaced. And revitalization work is just beginning on Commercial Street, the historic downtown of North Springfield.

The governor's DREAM initiative is designed to provide direct access to technical support in the areas of planning, financial and market analysis, and legal expertise. This technical support is critical in building the framework for financing redevelopment projects.