Main Street presents benchmark award to city council

     “Using urban revitalization, TIF leverage, and working with those businesses to expand in the community helps grow the tax base, helps make the services we want and need in this community available to everybody, and it wouldn’t be possible without a great partnership with you guys.”

   Monticello, IA Main Street Director Brian Wolken shared those sentiments during the March 17 Monticello City Council meeting as he presented the council and Mayor Wayne Peach with the Main Street Iowa benchmark award.

   Monticello was presented with the award during Main Street’s recent workshop in Jefferson, Iowa. On hand for the honor was Governor Kim Reynolds, representatives from Main Street Iowa, representative from IEDA (Iowa Economic Development Authority), and Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA.

   “This is a $5 million benchmark award,” noted Wolken. “Since we have entered the Main Street program in October 2022, taking in all of the development and showing the hybrid nature of having new, progressive projects like Theisen’s, Dollar Fresh, and rebuilding our downtown environment with examples like The Blind Pig, The Market at the Tap and Terminal Lance Arms, have had over $7.5 million in investments.”

   The Main Street benchmark awards are given out for $1 million, $3 million, $5 million, $10 million, etc.

   “We blew through those (benchmarks) within our first few years. $10 million is the next big one,” Wolken said. “We appreciate all you guys do and look forward to the support in the future and continuing to grow our downtown and keep our businesses flourishing and thriving. We all know downtowns are living and breathing; the business and the buildings. They have ups and downs. We know it all too well.”