Emporia Main Street director Mary Helmer is moving up — but not moving out.
In February, Helmer will become the new assistant state coordinator for Kansas Main Street. She told the local board of her move during a meeting Friday.
The job calls for her to work with and help train the 22 Main Street programs across the state.
“No two ways about it, it’s going to be hard to fill her shoes,” said Michael Black of the Emporia Main Street board. “Any time you have someone move up to the state to train other Main Street cities, you know it’ll be a hard position to fill.”
Helmer said she would continue to live in Emporia and would serve out her term on the school board, which runs through 2009.
“I’m kind of sad to go, but I’m excited,” Helmer said. “I’m happy for everything the board and committee members have been able to accomplish. Main Street will continue to be successful in Emporia. It’s got a solid base.”
Helmer has headed the local agency since June 1997. Her predecessor, Duane Dreiling, also became assistant state coordinator, serving from 1997 to 1999.
“It’s a great responsibility, but it’s also a very fulfilling position,” said Dreiling, who now directs the United Way of the Flint Hills. “It’s a very rewarding job — meeting with other Main Street communities that see similar issues and sharing your experience. It’s a very enjoyable position and she’ll be great at it.”
During her time as director, Helmer took the lead in promoting the $2.3 million Streetscape project, which transformed the look of downtown. In 2005, Emporia Main Street received national recognition with a Great American Main Street award. Emporia was the smallest of the five cities to win that year, and the first Kansas city ever to get the award.
Helmer and Emporia Main Street are now working with Flint Hills Technical College to start an entreprenuership program. The roughly eight week program will help train people who may have a great idea for a business but not know how to carry it out. The program starts March 27.
Even before taking the state job, Helmer has already garnered a fair amount of informal influence. Three former assistants now head Main Street organizations in McPherson, downtown Manhattan and Ottawa. Add in Emporia, and that’s nearly a fifth of the Main Streets in the state.
“In a few more years, I could have owned the world!” Helmer joked.
Emporia Main Street board member Gary Andrews said that Helmer’s positive spirit, gift for partnerships and dedication were a large reason for her success and the organization’s.
“She has the gift to see a finished project from a plan on paper and she ushers us in the direction needed to finish it,” Andrews said.
Helmer insisted that the volunteers who formed the core of Main Street were every bit as vital to the organization’s success.
“They’ll still be here,” she said. “It’s not a director’s program. It’s everyone’s program.”
Helmer’s last day at Emporia Main Street will be Jan. 31.
“We’re not losing her,” Andrews said. “She’ll be better able to take care of us where she’s at.”