Hutchinson, Kan. - Oct. 10, 2007 - Dr. Paul Mitsch received the Kansas Department of Commerce's Outstanding Downtown Advocate Award at the Governor's Award of Excellence on Main Street on October 10, 2007.
"I have always been pleased with Downtown Augusta and have made it my home since I purchased Augusta Family Dentistry in 1979. I am honored to receive this award and am proud to be a part of this downtown community so rich in history," expressed Dr. Mitsch.
"We wanted to nominate Dr. Mitsch because of all he does to support and bring attention to Downtown Augusta," explained Connie Thurman, Business Office Manager at Augusta Family Dentistry and an active part of the Downtown revitalization project and Main Street project. "He spends time and money telling others about our community and working to bring new visitors to our Downtown businesses. He truly deserves this award."
The evening awards ceremony highlighted the second day of the three-day Symposium, which provides Kansas community developers and business leaders a chance to network, attend workshops and participate in discussion groups regarding their downtown development efforts.
The Downtown Augusta community received more awards than any other Main Street Community. Those awards included:
Design under $5,000 - Strickler's Shoes, Tom Knudson, Owner
Design under $45,000 - The Augusta Art Gallery
Design over $45,000 - Cooper Drug Store, Brett and Bridget Kappelmann, Owners
Design - back door entrance improvement - La Bella, Darcy and Brent Herold, Owners
Outstanding Merchant - Hardt's Desire, Jennifer Eberhardt, Owner
Outstanding Downtown Advocate - Dr. Paul Mitsch, Augusta Family Dentistry
Kansas Main Street Volunteer of the Year - Darcy Herold, La Bella
Emeritus City - Downtown Augusta, Inc.
The following is the nomination letter submitted by Connie Thurman, Business Office Manager and Jaime Simpson, AFD Publicist:
In 1979, Dr. Paul Mitsch purchased Augusta Family Dentistry located in Downtown Augusta, Kansas. In 1983, Dr. Mitsch moved the practice one block south to 401 State Street. Although Dr. Mitsch could have chosen to work in a practice in Wichita, he believed Downtown Augusta had potential and was thrilled to be in a community with a thriving business district.
Since then, Dr. Mitsch has seen many businesses come and go. Throughout the years and despite decreased commerce at times in Downtown Augusta, Dr. Mitsch remained at 401 State Street knowing this his practice would bring patients to the downtown area. He believed those patients would then shop local businesses. He completely believed in revitalizing Downtown Augusta.
Dr. Mitsch has been actively involved in Downtown Augusta, Inc., and was fundamental in the development of the organization. He chaired the Economic Restructuring Committee when Downtown Augusta, Inc. was first established. Dr. Mitsch then hired and paid for an advertising agency to develop and print a brochure about Downtown Augusta and Downtown Augusta, Inc. when the organization was unable to afford such advertising.
In addition, Dr. Mitsch has utilized his own advertising funds to promote other Downtown Augusta businesses in radio advertisements and the local newspaper. He has also utilized radio advertisements to inform listeners of special events happening in Downtown Augusta, including the annual car show, the White Eagle Festival and the Grasshopper Festival. He has also spent time and resources promoting Ignite Augusta's Winter Wonderland lights in the city park.
Dr. Mitsch is a member of the August Chamber of Commerce, a member of one of the major funding committees for Butler Community College, a board member for the Community Foundation of Greater Butler County, a member and sponsor of Downtown Augusta, Inc., an active participant and financial supporter of the Trick-or-Treat Street Movie Event, a sponsor of the Augusta Arts Council and an avid supporter of the Augusta Historic Theatre in Downtown Augusta.
Although he is active in a variety of organizations, his main focus has always been Downtown Augusta. Dr. Mitsch has given his time. Dr. Mitsch has given his vision and expertise. And he has given his own money because he believes in supporting the ideals of a Main Street City . . . Augusta, Kansas.
Congratulations, Dr. Mitsch and thank you for supporting the Downtown Augusta community!
