Lansing selected as Main Street Iowa community

In a ceremony held Tuesday, February 7 at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Governor Terry Branstad announced that Lansing was one of three Iowa communities selected to join the Main Street Iowa program. Lansing joined Chariton and Jefferson as this year's Main Street designees, along with 45 other communities that have previously received the designation.
“Iowa’s historic main streets are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Governor Branstad. “We will continue to do whatever we can to keep Iowa’s historic commercial districts strong and vibrant for business owners, workers, residents and visitors.  I am pleased to welcome each of these communities into the Main Street family, and wish them much success in the future.”
For more than 25 years, the Main Street Iowa program and its communities have been looked upon as the “best of the best” in a national effort to revitalize main streets across the country. The Main Street Program is focused on economic development within the context of historic preservation.  Iowa adopted it in 1986 and currently the Iowa program is considered to be the best in the nation. Main Street Iowa uses a Four Point Approach® which includes, Promotions, Design, Business Improvement, and Organization.
“In their applications and presentations, the selected communities demonstrated strong partnerships, a high level of volunteerism, and a commitment to the revitalization of their main street districts. We are confident that these three cities will thrive and grow for many years to come,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Becoming a designated Main Street Iowa community is no easy task. Community representatives must attend rigorous training sessions before even being eligible to apply.  They must demonstrate support from local organizations, businesses and lawmakers; funding and in-kind support must be secured and documented; strategic plans outlining short- and long-term goals must be in place; and city resolutions and historic preservation ordinances must be passed and signed. Most importantly, community officials, business owners and volunteers must agree to work together with the common goals of preserving Iowa’s historic buildings and unique commercial business districts, and improving the local economy by adopting and following the Main Street Four Point Approach® to historic commercial district revitalization.
Volunteers and officials in Lansing have worked hard over the past several years to achieve this status, but know that the real work still lies ahead. The Main Street Iowa designation is just another step in an ongoing process that Main Street Lansing is just beginning in an effort to set a higher standard of living for residents, for business owners, and for all who enjoy spending time in the Lansing community.
While it may be challenging to become a Main Street community, designated communities reap many benefits.  During the first three years of the program, each community receives 40 days of on-site training and technical assistance from Main Street Iowa, National Main Street Center staff and private consultants, as well as 30 days of training for volunteers and local staff, resulting in a state investment of $100,000. Mature Main Street communities each receive continuing technical assistance and training valued at $10,000 annually.
Over the years, by working together with the state, Main Street Iowa communities have realized the benefits of more than two million hours of volunteer time committed to improving their main street districts, a significantly increased job and business base, and over a billion dollars in private investment to purchase, construct and rehabilitate main street property.
Main Street Iowa, a unit within Iowa State government, utilizes public and private investment to provide these services to participating communities. Governor Branstad said in his speech to the new Main Street Iowa communities February 7 that for every public dollar spent communities gain another $79 dollars in private donations.
Main Street Matters will also receive support services to make it a stronger organization and one better able to serve the merchants and the community. Finally, the program will also provide opportunities for building owners to refurbish their buildings, making them more functional and attractive.  In return for this support, Main Street Iowa expects a commitment to implement and follow through on program principles.
For more information, visit www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com  or call 515-725-3058.