Barb Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, shares a laugh with visitors at the KDP’s 2016 Hawktoberfest Car Show in downtown Kent. Smith received the Leadership on Main Award for her work in Kent. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Barb Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, shares a laugh with visitors at the KDP’s 2016 Hawktoberfest Car Show in downtown Kent. Smith received the Leadership on Main Award for her work in Kent. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

KDP’s Smith earns Leadership on Main Award

Retiring director of downtown organization ‘absolutely shocked’ to receive Washington State Main Street Program honor

Barb Smith, retiring executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, received the Washington State Main Street Program’s 2019 Leadership on Main Award.

“I was absolutely shocked,” Smith said of the award presented to her during a private party at the Main Street Now Conference in Seattle on Monday night. “I cried like a baby. I was very, very surprised.”

Kent is one of 34 Main Street communities in the state that participate in the program, which helps members revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their downtown commercial districts.

Main Street honored Smith for her leadership in improving the appearance of downtown, creating and honing its promotions, developing a solid fundraising strategy and successfully recruiting small businesses to the district, said Breanne Durham, Washington State Main Street Program coordinator.

“Barb’s greatest legacy in Kent is the team that she has developed, led and inspired over the years,” Durham said at the ceremony. “She has become a student of the Main Street approach and worked to educate the KDP board and volunteers about its merits. While she is integrally involved in all of KDP’s committees, she has mastered the skill of leading volunteers by empowering them to be creative, productive and focused on what inspires each of them to serve.

“Barb has emphasized partnerships in everything she has done for KDP – the great relationships the program has with the city, downtown business and property owners, volunteers and donors can all be credited to Barb’s relationship-oriented approach to community revitalization.”

Greg Haffner, KDP member, nominated Smith for the award.

“Barb has organized us, inspired us, motivated us and kept us focused on improving downtown Kent and preserving the history there,” Haffner said in a statement. “The pride within the organization reflects Barb’s leadership and is visible downtown.”

Smith, who has led the KDP for 10 years, officially steps away from her position July 31. The organization is interviewing candidates to succeed Smith.

Her greatest accomplishment?

“Relationship building … getting to know people, what their passions are,” Smith replied. “To ask, feel and see their passions for Kent … that’s extremely motivating for me. You don’t want to let these people down.”

In retirement, Smith plans to spend more time with family and friends and do some traveling.

“I’m not going to do anything right away, but just let it (the full-time work) go. It’s going to be a big shock to not work every day,” Smith said. “I don’t know what I will do, but I won’t sit still. That’s not me.

“It’s bittersweet,” she added. “I love what I do and the people I work with. It’s been a pleasure.”


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Barb Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, right, receives the Washington State Main Street Program’s 2019 Leadership on Main Award from Breanne Durham, Washington State Main Street Program coordinator, during a ceremony Monday. COURTESY PHOTO

Barb Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership, right, receives the Washington State Main Street Program’s 2019 Leadership on Main Award from Breanne Durham, Washington State Main Street Program coordinator, during a ceremony Monday. COURTESY PHOTO

More in Business

Staff at the new Riverbend Bar & Grill, 2019 W. Meeker St. in Kent. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Riverbend Bar & Grill in Kent launches soft opening

New restaurant next to golf complex to offer plenty of sports on TV screens

Courtesy Photo, Rite Aid
Two Kent Rite Aid locations on potential sale, closure list

Company files for bankruptcy with plans to sell or close stores

Courtesy Photo
Safeway distribution center in Auburn fined for violating new law

Fined $26,000 for quota-related safety and workplace rights violations

t
Ezee Fiber breaks ground in Kent for new internet system

Residents will have another option once company completes construction

t
Kent-based Blue Origin’s space flight draws praise, criticism

Katy Perry sings ‘What a Wonderful World’ during all-female crew flight; some critical of exclusivity

Courtesy Photo, U.S. DOJ
Jury indicts man for stealing nearly $1M from Kent company

Man faces six counts of wire fraud for alleged scheme while IT manager at Algas-SDI

Blue Origin’s New Shepard booster nears touchdown Feb. 4, 2025 in Texas during the NS-29 flight. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin
Kent-based Blue Origin sets all-female flight for April 14

Singer Katy Perry among crew on New Shepard-31 to launch from West Texas

The city-owned Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent will soon have its fifth restaurant in the last 15 years at 2019 W. Meeker St., when the Riverbend Bar and Grill opens this spring. COURTESY PHOTO
New restaurant coming soon to Kent’s Riverbend Golf Complex

Riverbend Bar and Grill scheduled to open this spring at city-owned facility

t
Kent-based Blue Origin plans all-female spaceflight

Katy Perry, Gayle King among the six crew members for spring trip

t
Kent-based Blue Origin completes 10th human spaceflight

Company has flown more than 50 people into space since first flight in 2021

Courtesy Photo, The Herald/Everett
Joann to close fabric stores in Kent, Renton and Federal Way

Part of nationwide closure of more than 500 stores after filing for bankruptcy

t
Kent-based Blue Origin to reduce workforce by 10%

Estimated 1,400 to lose jobs at Kent and other locations