Downtown Resource Center
Grow Your Community
Helping Implement Strategies for Stronger Communities
A downtown or traditional commercial district represents a community’s history and helps define the community. Does your downtown present a unique identity with features and strengths to draw residents, visitors, businesses and commerce? Would you be proud to show your downtown to potential new business prospects or even someone considering a move to your community?
The Downtown Resource Center helps communities learn more about the importance of downtown development and specifically how your community can implement strategies to make downtown more viable. Community involvement may range from a simple downtown walk around to Main Street Iowa (MSI) program services.
Downtown Resource Center Services
The Impact of Iowa’s Downtowns Study
2022 Impact of Iowa’s Downtown Study Video Introduction
Downtowns play an important role in the economic and social fabric of the state of Iowa. The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center helps communities learn about the importance of downtown development and assist local stakeholders in implementing revitalization strategies. In partnership with Main Street America, IEDA commissioned this study to assess and communicate the value of Iowa’s downtowns for residents across the state.
Shop Iowa: Online Marketplace for Retailers
The Shop Iowa platform allows small brick-and-mortar retail businesses to list products on an online marketplace. Retailers with physical products that can be easily shipped and are willing to receive online orders can list products on Shop Iowa.
Iowa Downtown Resource Center Team:
Jim Engle
Director - Iowa Downtown Resource Center
Robin Bostrom
Business Specialist
Maia Fiala Jessen
Design Specialist
Sarah Lembke
Downtown Building Rehabilitation Specialist
Carol Lilly
Downtown Development Specialist
Jim Thompson
Business Specialist
Nick Sorensen
Downtown Real Estate Specialist
Michael Wagler
Main Street Iowa State Coordinator
Susan Watson
515.348.6185 (desk phone)
Downtown Services Specialist