Award Winning Projects, Entrepreneurs and Volunteers Honored

April 22, 2022 (Des Moines) – Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday evening at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. The program honored the efforts of those who work tirelessly to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns – the heart and soul of communities across the state. The awards honor outstanding accomplishments, activities and people making a difference in the state’s Main Street districts.

This year, 13 projects were selected to be recognized from the 76 competitive nominations submitted. Governor Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority, presented the honors.

Forty-three leadership award recipients were honored throughout the evening for their significant and inspirational leadership and volunteer contributions to their local Main Street programs. The Spirit of Main Street Award was also presented to the network of 53 local Main Street executive directors for their dedication, creativity and commitment to their local economic development efforts through the challenges of 2020 and 2021.

During the event, eight communities were recognized for reaching new milestones in the amount of private investment in their commercial districts. Grundy Center was recognized for reaching the $2 million benchmark, and Lansing was honored for $3 million in local investment. Colfax, Manning and West Branch each attained the $5 million benchmark. Fort Dodge and Hampton were recognized for achieving $10 million in local investment since being designated as local Main Street programs, and Mason City reached the $50 million benchmark.

Several communities were honored for significant anniversaries for Main Street Iowa program designation during the evening. The communities of Cedar Falls, Spencer and Valley Junction in West Des Moines are celebrating their 35th anniversary this year. Osceola was recognized for 25 years of program participation. The communities of Marshalltown and Mount Pleasant were recognized for achieving 20 years of designation and Chariton, Jefferson and Lansing are all celebrating 10-year anniversaries this year.

More information, and A list of awards presented during the ceremony may be found here: iowaeda.com/UserDocs/documents/IEDA/2022msiawards_winners.pdf