Durham talks triumph, challenges of downtown revitalization

Size doesn’t matter – at least to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). The way Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, sees it, any downtown community in Iowa of any population is worth investing in, and has the potential to add significance to Iowa’s economy overall. Iowa cities and towns from all sizes were represented Aug. 6 at the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s 2024 Iowa Downtown Conference, a three-day event held at Cedar Rapids’ DoubleTree by Hilton. Attendees gathered three blocks away at the Paramount Theatre, 123 3rd Ave. SE, for the Pathways to Economic Growth session, which emphasized the value of collaboration, creativity, and community-focused approaches to drive economic growth and prosperity in Iowa, particularly in the downtown arenas. “Main streets are near and dear to me as an Iowan, as a former chamber of commerce leader, and as the state's economic developer,” Ms. Durham said. “They're the souls of our community, when we think about it. Downtowns are unique destinations with the power to connect us through arts and culture, shopping and dining, events and recreation, modern living spaces and innovation.” It’s not unusual for site selectors to be taken on a downtown tour of the city they’re considering, she said, because signs of progress tell them “everything you need to know.” “When you [have] weeds in your sidewalk and buildings boarded up, it's not that inviting,” she said. During the presentation, Ms. Durham called representatives from the cities of Boone and Indianola to the stage to recognize their municipalities as official Main Street Iowa Communities. These are communities that have passed a competitive application process, committed to high standards for downtown economic development and have shown progress with their efforts.

Within the past year, Boone welcomed 15 new businesses, began transforming its Virginia Theatre and scored huge economic development points when dairy brand Daisy committed to building a manufacturing facility there. Indianola is in the midst of complementing its current draws, the National Balloon Classic, Des Moines Metro Opera and Simpson College. “Indianola leaders put in the behind-the-scenes work like forming a downtown-focused organization, and aligning funding programs and local ordinances around downtown transformation,” said Ms. Durham. “And then the downtown square’s true beauty began to be revealed through building facade improvements – and a sweeping streetscape project that includes carefully designed walkways, lighting and landscaping.”

In instances such as the Daisy manufacturing plant, a downtown area “really is the place that if you're going to make limited investments, that is where you make them because it makes such a difference,” she said, sharing highlights about other Iowa communities. During the fireside chat with Jim Engle, IEDA’s director of Iowa Downtown Resource Center, Ms. Durham emphasized the need for vision, a strategic plan, daily effort and leveraging local leadership to make big changes in community growth and development. “It's about showing up and it's about being focused,” she said. If Iowa has any faults at all, it’s not dreaming big enough or being too modest with its accomplishments. “Mayor Tiffany (O’Donnell) always says ‘this is a community of doers and dreamers,’ and that is so true," she said. "If you dream it you really can do it.” Conversely, she added, “humility, biblically, is an incredible trait, particularly when you stand before your Maker at the end of the day, but it doesn't work too well for promoting things.” She also touched on Iowa’s current administration’s efforts at bolstering economic growth and encouraged city leaders to take advantage of IEDA’s many programs and grants.

“The legislature gives us a certain amount of cash for high quality jobs. It doesn't go to John Deeres and those folks, it goes to you all,” she said. “That's how we fund the Catalyst grant, that's how we fund the Challenge grant, that's what we fund the startup stuff. We spend all that cash going to small businesses. We will continue to do that as long as I am director because to me, that is where it has the most transformational impact.” Touching on the layoffs and downturns in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, Ms. Durham pointed out that Iowa’s economy is fairly diversified. “Economies ebb and flow,” she said. “And I think we are seeing some softening in our economy that I believe all the investments we've made, and strategic investments by making us more competitive just based on our pipeline. We will weather this too.” Circling back to community investment, she reiterated that the size of the city or town doesn’t matter to the IEDA. “The goal is to create communities in which people want to live,” she said. “It doesn't matter if you're 100,000 people or 400 people, right? It's the same strategies. It's about creating those places where people want to be.” IEDA priorities will always center on being the number one state for jobs, which means having strong communities. “Everything we do is really developing policies and procedures and programs around doing that,” she said. Creating a competitive tax code, making investments that “add value” to Iowa’s economy and being good stewards of natural resources are some strategies Iowa can employ to accomplish those goals, she said. “We hold all that trust for the next generation,” she said.