Benefits of the Main Street Program
Investment
In the first three years of a local Main Street program, the state of Iowa invests
approximately $100,000 in on-site visits, training, and technical assistance.
Main Street Iowa, the National Main Street Center and private consultants spend
over 40 days in each new community and provide over 30 days of training for local
volunteers and program directors during this start-up phase.
Following initial program start-up phase, the state invests tens of thousands of
dollars annually in training and technical assistance to designated communities.
Loan Programs
Statewide Training
- New program director orientation/training
- Job shadowing for new program directors
- Training workshops facilitated by nationally known professionals
- ICN training sessions – 4 per year
- Webinars
Local On-Site Assistance
- Facilitated vision development with goal setting
- Facilitated mission statement development
- Committee training as requested
- Board roles & responsibilities training as requested
- Architectural & design assistance
- Assistance of business development consultant
- Facilitated board & committee planning retreats
- Issue specific technical assistance visits
- Support & assistance with program director selection
- Annual 1 or 2-day program visit
- Ten year & twenty year technical assistance visit 2 to 3 days
- Support & assistance with conflict resolution
- Support & assistance with completion of a market study for the trade
area
Other Benefits
- Inclusion in a state & national movement involving 2000 communities
in the United States
- On-site business technical assistance
- Access to Main Street Challenge Grant through special HUD appropriation
- Registration scholarships for National Main Streets Conference
- Tuition scholarships for program directors to attend Certification
Institute in Main Street Management
- Exclusive access to loan programs (Main Street Iowa Loan Pool for
upper floor development & in-fill construction, Main Street Loan Program, Main Street
Development Loan)
- Reduced registration fee for the Annual Iowa Downtown Summit
- Exclusive networking with the 45 Main Street Iowa program communities
- Participation & recognition during annual Main Street Iowa Awards
- Inclusion in Main Street Iowa website with local page & links to
other local web pages, if requested
- Access to Main Street Iowa resource library & materials
- Inclusion in marketing & public relations
- Competitive edge in IDED grant programs
- Opportunity for certified program directors to enhance their professional
skills by providing technical assistance to other Iowa communities
Results
Together, Main Street Iowa communities have realized the benefits of thousands of
hours of volunteer time committed to improving their city centers and historic neighborhood
commercial districts, a significantly increased job and business base, and millions
of dollars in private investment to purchase, construct and rehabilitate historic
commerical district property.