Downtown revitalization efforts in Iowa touted

WEST DES MOINES - Iowa is a national leader in efforts to restore and revitalize downtown districts, Gov. Terry Branstad said Thursday.

For nearly three decades, Iowa's Main Street Iowa program and the work of community developers, volunteers and local officials have been looked upon as the 'best of the best” in a national effort to revitalize downtowns across the country, Branstad told a statewide summit of downtown leaders.

'Iowa is recognized by many as the best Main Street state in the country,” Branstad said.

He announced that Centerville and Grundy Center have been selected to join 51 other communities in the Main Street Iowa program.

To receive the Main Street Iowa community designation, applicants must meet high standards, said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. She said those include attending rigorous training sessions and demonstrating support from local organizations, businesses and lawmakers with documented funding and in-kind support and strategic plans outlining short- and long-term goals.

Branstad said the state's grant program has pumped millions into the restoration of landmark buildings in qualifying communities. Main Street Iowa districts collectively have logged nearly 4,500 new business starts and a net of 13,000 new jobs, he noted, adding that rehabilitation of more than 10,000 buildings has totaled more than $1 billion worth of investments.

'We are serious about downtown development and downtown revitalization in Iowa,” the governor told more than 200 summit attendees. 'Our focus, our programs and our successes prove that.”

Each dollar appropriated to Main Street Iowa program last year leveraged private investment topping $93, Branstad said, and volunteer hours committed to the effort is approaching 3 million hours.