Board of Directors & Staff

Downtown Manhattan, Inc.

Did you Know? Downtown Manhattan, Inc is a non profit community volunteer organization
working in the areas of economic development, street design and place making, retail and business
recruitment and marketing and promotion. It is our mission to increase consumer awareness; to
strengthen retail and professional business institutions; to increase the economic vitality of the City’s
center and to promote and attract new businesses to the downtown.

The DMI Board of Directors is grateful for your donation towards making events like this
possible!

Donate Here!

President:  Ben Burton, Owner of Community House & Switchgrass Development

Vice-President:  Kelly Karl, Pre-Construction Manager at BHS

Treasurer: Amanda Aslin, General Manager of Tallgrass Tap House

Board Members at Large:

Caleb Hartig: General Manager of 324 Speakeasy

Lindsay Lowe: Owner of Platinum & Co.

Ali Goss: Owner of Enamored by Ali

Jasmine Walker: Owner of Brown’s Shoe Fit

Blake Bower: Owner of Icon Investments

Blade Mages: Executive Director of Wareham Hall

Ex-Officio Board Members:

Stephanie Peterson: Director of Community Development for City of Manhattan

Amanda Webb: Planning and Special Projects Director for Riley County

Christy Chase

Staff:

Gina Snyder: Executive Director, DMI

Erin Backensto: Bookkeeper, DMI

Heather Hnizdil: Art Coordinator, DMI

Donovan Barber: Groundskeeper, DMI

Downtown Manhattan, Inc. Goals and Objectives
2025

• • Organizational and Administrative Processes and Efficiencies
    • Secure Partners for 2025 Downtown Partners Corporate Sponsorship Program
    • Create 501c3 for the purpose of writing/receiving grants and accepting tax deductible donations
    • Advocate for economic opportunities that enhance or improve the downtown district as a whole and are aesthetically appealing and maintain our walkability.
    • Secure FY2026 funding for improved programming; work with city staff on metrics guidelines
    • Hire Administrative Assistant
    • New Website
  • Partnerships, Sponsorships and Collaborative Efforts
    • Create regional partnerships to support our mission of growing our patronage while strengthening entertainment districts through shared knowledge
    • Grow existing partnerships with Kansas State University through annual programming and events and shared human capital
  • Events, Programming and Management
    • Hire Event Manager
    • Hire Event Assistant
    • Enhance event processes/procedures under new Event Manager
    • Ordinance for CCA
    • 2025 fundraising event
  • Within 5 Years
    • Work with Public Works to develop a process for use of public rights-of-way during construction
    • Work with Department of Commerce to establish Creative District designation and incentive
      program
    • Work with Public Works to ensure maintenance on district infrastructure is done in a timely
      manner
    • Advocate for funding Frost Plaza
    • Sound system for outdoor events