Mount Vernon is now a Main Street Iowa Community

On March 4, Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced that Mount Vernon was one of four communities recently selected to join the Main Street Iowa program along with Belle Plaine,Washington, and Woodbine. The announcement was made during a special ceremony held in Des Moines.

“Iowa’s historic main streets are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Lt. Governor Judge. “This is why increasing the number of Main Street communities in Iowa is a top priority of the Culver/Judge Administration. We will continue to do whatever we can to keep Iowa’s downtowns 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.

”“Mount Vernon is in a good position to learn and grow from the Main Street program. Having recently combined the Chamber of Commerce, Marketing and Tourism Board and the Economic Development groups into one team of dedicated volunteers, we're hoping the guidance provided by Main Street consultants and services will enable us to accomplish much more than we've been able to in the past,” said Rich Herrmann, President, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Board. “We are excited to become a part of this successful program, and believe our volunteers are ready for such a journey.”  (Mount Vernon's Main Street Training Schedule for 2008)

“In their applications and presentations, the selected communities demonstrated strong partnerships, a high level of volunteerism, and a commitment to the revitalization of their downtown districts. We are confident that these four cities will thrive and grow for many years to come,” said Michael Tramontina, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

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; 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 1) preserving Iowa’s historic buildings and unique downtown business districts, and 2) improving the local economy by adopting and following the Main Street Four Point Approach™ to downtown revitalization.

“Mount Vernon has a wealth of historical assets, a small college, and a giving community. We love to meet and discuss our problems and the solutions but we tend to have difficulty developing the plans and putting them to action,” said Ed Sauter, Chair of the Vision Mount Vernon Committee. “The structure, coordination, and expertise will help us go to the next level. In the past, people simply assumed something will come along but in this day and age, it will require a proactive effort. We are ready.” As part of this comprehensive program, community officials, business owners, and volunteers must agree to work together with the common goals of 1) preserving Iowa’s historic buildings and unique downtown business districts, and 2) improving the local economy by adopting and following the Main Street Four Point Approach™ to downtown revitalization.

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. Main Street communities each receive continuing 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 1.5 million hours of volunteer time committed to improving their city centers, a significantly increased job and business base, and millions of dollars in private investment to purchase, construct and rehabilitate downtown property.

For more information, please visit www.iowalifechanging.com/community/mainstreetiowa