Ten Iowa communities will receive Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants totaling $950,000 to rehabilitate underutilized downtown buildings. The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded the grants Nov. 6, in an effort to stimulate economic growth and further investment in Iowa’s historic main streets.
Washington will use its $100,000 award to restore the fire-damaged historic building at 115-117 N Iowa Ave. The first phase will establish an architecture office on the ground floor, stabilize the structure and prepare for future residential development on upper floors.
The grants, administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs, will be distributed as matching grants to local Main Street programs. The 10 projects carry an estimated total cost of nearly $3.6 million.
Building owner Luke Leyden, Main Street Washington committee member Sally Hart and Main Street Washington Executive Director Samantha Meyer attended the awards presentation at IEDA’s Des Moines office.
Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, said the investments support community gathering places.
“These projects are examples of the creativity and persistence we see in communities across Iowa,” Ms. Durham said. “When we invest in our main streets, we’re investing in the places where people come together – where entrepreneurs get their start, where families build memories and where the character of our communities truly shines.”
Jim Engle, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, said completed projects benefit entire districts.
“Each completed project lifts the entire district – when you see lights back on in an upper floor or a storefront filled again, it sends a strong signal that good things are happening, and more are on the way,” Mr. Engle said.
Since 2002, more than $16.5 million in Challenge Grant funding has leveraged nearly $73.5 million in additional investment.
