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.

After the start-up phase, the state annually invests approximately $10,000 in each certified Main Street and Rural Main Street community to provide quarterly volunteer and director training sessions, design assistance, yearly consultations and program-specific technical assistance. Other benefits are an annual awards ceremony, cooperative marketing opportunities and an extensive library of slides, videos and printed materials.

Scholarships are available for local Main Street program directors and volunteers to attend the National Town Meeting on Main Street and for program directors to enroll in the Main Street Certification Institute in Professional Main Street Management.

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.