For every dollar invested in the Downtown Excelsior Partnership Inc. (DEP) by the City of Excelsior Springs, an additional $8.41 was raised, according to a presentation made to the city council recently. DEP Executive Director Lyndsey Baxter revealed the monies raised during a presentation of the 2022 annual financial report to the council. A total of over $6.9 million in taxable retail sales in 2022 – which accounts for 13.4 percent of the total DEP income – was a 3.3-percent increase over 2021, she said. The largest income, 35.5 percent of the total budget, came from events, followed by grants at 18.6 percent. DEP events had the largest economic impact ever in 2022 based on survey responses, according to Baxter. There are 87 businesses located within Downtown Excelsior Springs with a good mix of retail, professional services, eateries/ drinkeries, and more. While six businesses were lost, the vacancy rate only ...