Weekly Kiwanis News 9/21

President Miller introduced Nancy Teusch from the Jefferson Matters/Main Street committee. There will be a bus heading to a Main Street Iowa grant writing workshop on Sept. 22nd in Osceola.

The mission of the Main Street Iowa Program is to improve the social and economic well-being of Iowa's communities by assisting selected communities to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their historic commercial district. Main Street is economic development within the context of historic preservation.

Four Point Approach®

Economic Restructuring/Business Improvement -- This element involves diversifying the commercial district economy by identifying potential market niches, finding new uses for vacant or underused spaces and improving business practices.

Design -- Utilizing appropriate design concepts, the visual quality of the commercial district (buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping, and environment) is enhanced.

Organization -- Each community has many groups of people who are interested in and are willing to work toward the goal of a revitalized commercial district. The organizational element brings together the public sector, private groups and individual citizens, with coordination by a paid program manager, to work more effectively in the commercial district.

Promotion -- By promoting the downtown in a positive manner, a community can begin to focus on the commercial district as a source of community pride, social activity and economic development potential. 

Thanks to Nancy for the interesting program and update on the Main Street project! More information on the Main Street Iowa program is available here.