Jefferson recognized during Main Street Iowa Development celebration ceremony

Special to the Jefferson Herald

DES MOINES – Jefferson was a standout at a recent statewide awards ceremony. Ten years as a Main Street community has allowed Jefferson to make a number of upgrades, a few of which were honored last week.
Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration April 22 at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

The program honored the efforts of those who work tirelessly to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns – the heart and soul of communities across the state. The awards honor outstanding accomplishments, activities and people making a difference in the state’s Main Street districts.
Jefferson received a pair state awards in addition to special recognitions. These were:

• Winner of the Placemaking Project (Small Scale): Arch Alley
• Winner of the Leadership Award: Tower View Team

Jefferson was also recognized for reaching 10 years as a Main Street community. The Main Street program has helped usher in facade projects for Sensibly Chic, Funky Zebra, The Stitch and for the soon-to-open Centennial restaurant.
Volunteers have compiled more than 43,000 hours of work in the 10 years since the Main Street distinction, which city officials say is $1 million in value. Jefferson’s Main Street distinction has allowed space and money for five pieces of roof top art with a sixth planned for the roof of Peony. Several murals have been painted on downtown buildings as well.

 Additionally, two Iowa communities were recognized with a special honor for being named recent Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) semifinalists by Main Street America. Jefferson (2020 GAMSA Semifinalist) and
Mount Vernon (2022 GAMSA Semifinalist) were honored for exemplifying the use of the Main Street Approach to revitalize traditional downtowns and neighborhood business districts.
This year, 13 projects were also selected to be recognized from the 76 competitive nominations submitted.

Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority, presented the honors. Forty-three leadership award
recipients were honored throughout the evening for their significant and inspirational leadership and volunteer contributions to their local Main Street programs. Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority, presented the honors.

The Spirit of Main Street Award was also presented to the network of 53 local Main Street Executive Directors for their dedication, creativity, and commitment to their local economic development efforts through the challenges of 2020 and 2021.
Representing Jefferson, Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community and the Jefferson city council were Shelly Berger, Lynda Cochran, Chris Deal, Emily and Josh Dyer, Deb Kucerak, Karen Lawton, Deb and Marc McGinn, Jolene Peters, Dianne and Mike Piepel, Bill and Peg Raney, Don and Jean Van Gilder, Beth Vander Wilt, Matt and Toni Wetrich, and David and Linda Williamson.

“The Main Street Iowa program is a powerful economic development tool that has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1985,” said Durham. “We continue to see significant growth in business, jobs, and investment in communities of all sizes because of the program. As a result, these districts serve as inspiring examples of what’s possible for Iowa’s downtowns.”

“Main Street is grassroots economic development,” said Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa State Coordinator. “It is inspiring to witness the impactful work of local Main Street program staff, volunteers, and community partners.”
In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted Main Street America’s Four Point Approach® to district revitalization by establishing Main Street Iowa within the agency that is now the IEDA. Since then, local
Main Street programs have made a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including 5,237 new businesses, 15,759 jobs and more than 13,000 building projects totaling more than $2.4 billion in private investment.

For more information about Main Street Iowa and how all Iowa communities can access commercial
revitalization assistance through the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, visit iowaeda.com/downtownresource-
center/, email Michael.Wagler@iowaeda.com or call 515.348.6184.