13 COMMUNITIES RECEIVE NEARLY $1 MILLION IN MAIN STREET IOWA CHALLENGE GRANTS

Projects will leverage private investments to revitalize downtowns across the state

For more information, contact:

Jacque Matsen, 515.348.6245
communications@iowaeda.com

November 8, 2018 (DES MOINES, IOWA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today awarded Main Street Corning a $70,000 grant for the Primrose Upper Story apartments. Marilea Mullen, Main Street President, Leland Shipley, Board of Supervisors, Judy Beckett, City Council, Marti Gebbie, Main Street Director, Joel Mahr, Primrose owner, Jill Fulton, Primrose owner represented Main Street Corning at the event. Twelve other Main Street Iowa communities also received grants.

“Main Street Corning continues to thrive because of the dedication of our businesses in our district.   This grant for Primrose will make an impact for them and our community.  I am thankful we are part of the Main Street Iowa program.  This partnership is one key to our success with financial support opportunities,” shared Marilea Mullen, MSC President.  “But it is the vision and passion for making a difference, by all involved, that is truly the heart of what makes Main Street Corning a special place to be part of.”

 “The Main Street Iowa Challenge grants have proven to be catalysts for the revitalization of Iowa’s historic main streets,” said IEDA Director Debi Durham. “These projects demonstrate the ongoing commitment the people of our state have to keeping our downtowns vibrant, which helps attract new visitors, residents and businesses.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of these 13 projects is over $8.7 million.

“Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match,” said Michael Wagler, state coordinator for the Main Street Iowa program. “In total, these projects will actually leverage more than nine times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation that will have a significant economic impact within each district.”

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002, approximately $9.6 million in state and federal funds have leveraged more than $57 million in private investment. Over the life of the program, 165 projects in 53 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state have received funding.

Photos of recipients will be available at iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/IDRC/MainStreetIowa after November 13, 2018.  For more information about the Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant program, contact Michael Wagler at 515.348.6184 or mainstreet@iowaeda.com.

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