BOONE, Iowa—This an important week for the local effort to become a Main Street Iowa participant. The Boone County Chamber of Commerce and a number of volunteers have submitted the application and Thursday, are slated to make the presentation. Mike Hammond and Laura Bade recently talked about it on the KWBG News and Public Affairs Program Tuned In. One of the things they talked about was the support shown for the community to become a part of the Main Street Iowa program. Their press release this week describes the financial support for the “Downtown Boone” program.
Downtown Boone, the application for Boone to become a Main Street Iowa designated community in 2022, is pleased to announce support from the City of Boone, the Boone County Board of Supervisors, and Fareway Stores, Inc.
The Main Street approach will have positive and long-lasting impacts on attracting new businesses and residents to the district, while enhancing the local quality of life for our employees and neighbors. The Downtown Boone board is pleased to partner with the City of Boone, Boone County, and Fareway in their support of making Boone’s downtown district more vibrant.
Along with their unanimous vote of support, the City of Boone has pledged $30,000 each year for the first three years of the Downtown Boone program. Boone County has pledged $10,000 per year for the first three years also with unanimous support, and Fareway has pledged $20,000 of matching funds each year for the first three years of the program.
The Main Street Iowa application was submitted for review in late May and a presentation will be given in Des Moines to the review committee in mid-July. Fundraising efforts continue through the application review process until the selection committee makes their final decision. The Downtown Boone fundraising goal has been set at $80,000, with pledges currently totaling $96,960.
Only two communities are selected every other year to join the Main Street Iowa designation. A public announcement will be made as to whether Downtown Boone is designated as a Main Street Iowa community.
