DES MOINES – Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced
that four Iowa communities were recently selected to join the Main
Street Iowa program: Belle Plaine, Mount Vernon, Washington and
Woodbine. The announcement was made during a special ceremony held
in Des Moines.
“Iowa’s historic main streets are the heart and soul of our
communities,” said Lt. Governor Judge. “This is why increasing the
number of Main Street communities in Iowa is a top priority of the
Culver/Judge Administration. We will continue to do whatever we
can to keep Iowa’s downtowns strong and vibrant for business
owners, workers, residents and visitors. I am pleased to welcome
each of these communities into the Main Street family, and wish
them much success in the future.”
For more than 20 years, the Main Street Iowa program and its
communities have been looked upon as the “best of the best” in a
national effort to revitalize downtowns across the country. The
addition of these new communities brings the total number of Main
Street communities in Iowa to 39.
“In their applications and presentations, the selected communities
demonstrated strong partnerships, a high level of volunteerism and
a commitment to the revitalization of their downtown districts,
said Michael Tramontina, Director of the Iowa Department of
Economic Development. "We are confident that these four cities
will thrive and grow for many years to come.”
Some highlights from the applications:
Belle Plaine (pop. approx. 2,800)
Mount Vernon (pop. approx. 3,400)
Washington (pop. approx. 7,000)
Woodbine (pop. approx. 1,600)
Becoming a designated Main Street Iowa community is no easy task.
Community representatives must attend rigorous training sessions
before even being eligible to apply. They must demonstrate support
from local organizations, businesses and lawmakers; funding and
in-kind support must be secured and documented; strategic plans
outlining short- and long-term goals must be in place; city
resolutions and historic preservation ordinances must be passed
and signed. Most importantly, community officials, business owners
and volunteers must agree to work together with the common goals
of 1) preserving Iowa’s historic buildings and unique downtown
business districts, and 2) improving the local economy by adopting
and following the Main Street Four Point Approach™ to downtown
revitalization.
While it may be challenging to become a Main Street community,
designated communities reap many benefits. During the first three
years of the program, each community receives 40 days of on-site
training and technical assistance from Main Street Iowa, National
Main Street Center staff and private consultants, as well as 30
days of training for volunteers and local staff, resulting in a
state investment of $100,000. Main Street communities each receive
continuing training valued at $10,000 annually.
Over the years, by working together with the state, Main Street
Iowa communities have realized the benefits of more than 1.5
million hours of volunteer time committed to improving their city
centers, a significantly increased job and business base and
millions of dollars in private investment to purchase, construct
and rehabilitate downtown property.
For more information, visit www.iowalifechanging.com/community/mainstreetiowa,
e-mail mainstreet@iowalifechanging.com, or call 515.242.4756.
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