DES MOINES, Iowa - The Main Street Iowa Awards program has recognized another effort to revitalize a city's downtown.
The Jefferson Matters Main Street project has received the organization's Signature Project Award for the opening of the Rural Forge in downtown Jefferson. Rural Forge is a a tech training center designed to help grow and retain tech talent in rural Iowa.
“Main Street Iowa has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1985,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority. “We continue to see significant growth in the amount of business, jobs and investment in communities of all sizes due to the program, and as a result, these districts serve as inspiring examples of what’s possible for Iowa’s downtowns.”
The Main Street Awards honor projects in 55 designated Main Street Iowa districts. The organization is a subsidiary of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. It canceled its April 3rd awards ceremony because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
It also honored nine cities that reached milestones in private investment in their downtown areas.
Grundy Center: $1 million
Newton: $5 and $10 million
Ames, Le Mars and Ottumwa: $20 million
Burlington, Cedar Falls and Davenport: $100 million
Dubuque: $750 million