To the editor:

“Is the Main Street program worth it?” That was the question posed to the city council a few weeks ago, so we decided to look at numbers and find an answer.

For 2011, the program expenses in Peabody were $51,454. This amount includes the director’s salary and travel costs. Most of the travel was mandated by the state.

The return on investments was $456,946. This number includes grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce, donated planters and benches, loans made to new businesses (without the loans there would be no new businesses), private business investment, the Holiday Shopping Spree, and new job payrolls.

We have five new businesses that were able to open due to Main Street help. None of the money would have been available for any other use.

Looking at the numbers, the Main Street program appears to be worth the cost.

Of course, different perspectives influence how worth is measured. Each of you will have to decide for yourselves. I’m sure the numbers won’t change your mind if you have already determined the answer to the question.

Pam Lamborn
Peabody City Council member