20th Anniversary: Impact That Talks – Katelyn Brotherton
Logan Breer | August 25, 2026
You grew up in a small, tight-knit community. Do you think that influenced your future career?
Absolutely, but unintentionally. I think growing up in a small town that was big on history and community pride definitely set the foundation for the type of work I would go into after college. In Leopold, you will find the kind of support that communities are meant to have: banding together to solve a problem, fill a need, or all pitch in. Leopold is so small that it doesn’t have a traditional community layout, no “downtown” but it does have historic buildings that inspired my love of history. It is about 45 minutes away from downtown Cape Girardeau. Downtown Cape was the closest, most traditional downtown that we would go to, and it’s where I have the most memories of growing up. I have many formative memories of downtown Cape and I would say it also helped inspire a fascination with what downtowns were and could be again.
What about Main Street attracted you to join Missouri Main Street Connection?
It really was my love for history, historic buildings, and the built environment that led me to Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC). First, it was learning about the Main Street Approach™ during my time at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in the Historic Preservation program, which basically included everything I loved in a comprehensive way that allowed communities to succeed and shine. Then, as part of the Historic Preservation program at SEMO, I completed an internship with MMSC in the summer of 2014. During this internship, I assisted with the state conference and traveled around Missouri with Keith Winge to assist with training for new Main Street communities. This really helped me see first-hand how Main Street can work in different communities with different needs. In 2015, I joined MMSC as staff and have had a variety of roles since.
You have worked with MMSC for 10+ years now, what do you enjoy doing?
Well, over the past 10 years my role has expanded in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I was first hired. I have been able to develop resources for our communities and apply for millions of dollars of grants that support the work we do. I love seeing how each Main Street community takes the Main Street Approach™ and makes it work for their community. I also love seeing all the local history across the entire state. To be able to provide support and assistance for the community members achieving this work locally is a great pleasure.
“One of my biggest joys is knowing that my work is making an impact on people – small business owners, property owners, even just people with memories tied to place – and then to also impact communities and even the entire state.”
There are too many things I have been able to do with MMSC to share. A few that come to my mind is our 10th anniversary conference in Washington, hosting Main Street Now in Kansas City, working with the U.S. Economic Development Administration during the pandemic to support small businesses, working with the National Park Service to support property owners completing important work on their buildings to maintain their functionality as hubs for restaurants, services, and retail, and most recently, the “Memories on Main Street” book.
Any other comments?
When I first learned about the Main Street Approach™, it made so much sense to me, because that was how I grew up. It can be an easy system to take for granted when you don’t know any other way, but it is a system that so many communities are utilizing through their Main Streets. That system of looking out for your neighbor and being present. It can be incredibly difficult work, but is what makes Main Street strong!
I want to leave you with this, which is what I highlight to many of our communities, your downtown isn’t just for your citizens or people you consider tourists, it is for everyone in your region. Just like when I was young visiting from 45 min away cultivating a nostalgia that is with me today, there are many people on the outskirts of your city or town that are also attending your holiday events, visiting your businesses, and cultivating a lasting and impactful connection to your place.
The “Memories on Main Street” 20th anniversary book is now available on our website. Please visit www.momainstreet.org/shop to order your book today and stay tuned to our socials for more 20th anniversary stories from the people connected to this amazing movement that has revitalized countless communities across Missouri.
