City of Cascade to Celebrate Small Businesses through New Downtown Mural
For more information, contact:
Staci Hupp Ballard
515.348.6245
communications@iowaeda.com
City of Cascade to Celebrate Small Businesses through New Downtown Mural
Ribbon Cutting Recognizes Iowa Economic Development Authority | Iowa Finance Authority #IowansUnite Video Contest Winner
November 16, 2023 (CASCADE) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) announced that the City of Cascade recently won a custom mural by Iowa artist Ben Schuh by winning the statewide #IowansUnite contest, an initiative that highlights community pride, public art and support of small businesses.
The new mural, small businesses and the community leaders that led the effort will be celebrated at a public event on Friday, Nov. 17 at 12:00 p.m. at the mural's location on the wall of Bloom Salon, 114 1st Avenue West, Cascade. The public is encouraged to attend to visit with the muralist and community leaders and then enjoy lunch and local shopping to kick-off the holiday season.
The video contest invited cities, municipalities, and economic development organizations to submit creative and inspirational videos showcasing how their community members support small businesses and celebrate their importance to the community. Cascade was one of 20 communities that entered the contest. Cascade’s video was selected as a finalist through public voting and the city was deemed the winner of the final essay contest by a diverse panel of judges.
“Both small businesses and public art add heart and vibrancy to our communities, which makes the #IowansUnite contest a fitting way to recognize both,” said IEDA and IFA Director Debi Durham. "As the holiday shopping season begins, it is my hope that all who pass by the mural will recognize the immense appreciation that exists for the small businesses who are a pillar of this community and be reminded to support them."
The mural features the history of Cascade, including historic mills, silo, narrow gauge railroad, historic brewery, jail, and Red Faber, a professional baseball player born in Cascade in the late 1800’s.
“This mural truly captures the history and pride for our community,” said Cascade Mayor Steven Knepper. “We look forward to welcoming more visitors for an Iowa mural photo opportunity, shopping and dining and we look forward to sharing our hometown charm.”
“People will start to take additional pride in Cascade, and I think it pays exponentially over time,” said muralist Ben Schuh. “Public art brings people to town and there is no doubt that will impact the local economy.”
