Main Street Iowa
$12 Million
PRIVATE INVESTMENTS MADE IN THE DISTRICT
25,000+
volunteer hours recorded
$695,000
in state-funded grants received
About Main Street Iowa
For almost three decades, Iowa’s Main Street communities have made a commitment to the long-term revitalization of their historic commercial districts. Using the Main Street Four Point Approach, local leaders have implemented practical management strategies producing fundamental changes in Iowa’s Main Street.
The Main Street Four Point Approach was developed in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center. Its primary purpose is to establish historic commercial districts as economically-viable centers of commerce through comprehensive, incremental and coordinated work in four key areas: organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.
In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted the National Main Street Center’s model and established Main Street Iowa as a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDEA). Today, Main Street is the premiere program of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center and is one of most successful state programs in the nation.
Main Street Iowa 4-Point Approach
Our Main Street program focuses on a 4 Point Approach in conjunction with Main Street Iowa.
Promotion
Encourages a community to focus on the district as a source of community pride, social activity and economic development potential.
Committee members include: Stacy Walker (Chair), Susan Brauman, Amy Tubbs, Lindsey Varese and Hope Susin, & Jill Whisler.
Design
Utilizes appropriate design and preservation concepts, to enhance the visual quality of the district (buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping and environment).
Main Street Signage and Facade Grants
Committee members include: Jeff Burns, Nichole Cox (Chair), Bob Evers, Debbie Robinson, Michael Thomas and Nancy Bennett, Dane Blozovich and John Cosby .
Economic Vitality
Diversifies the historic district’s economy by identifying potential market niches, finding new users for vacant or under used spaces and improving business practices.
Building Inventory Form for Downtown Centerville
Main Street Centerville Open 4 Business Grant
Committee members include: Jason Fraser, Dustin Harvey, Brad Dittmer, Jennifer Haden, Rory Heims and Adam Sankot (Chair).
Organization
With coordination by a paid program director, organization brings together the public sector, private groups and individual citizens to work together more effectively.
Committee members include: Ed Cox, Michael Matthes, Melissa Johnson (Chair), Cheryl Finch, Delaney Evers and Melissa Arnevik.