CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa—The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today named Boone and Indianola as the newest Main Street Iowa communities. Main Street is a proven strategy for downtown revitalization, a network of communities and a national support program. The elite designation follows a rigorous application process.

Boone and Indianola join only 51 other Main Street Iowa communities across the state. IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham introduced the two communities at the Iowa Downtown Conference in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday.

“Boone and Indianola are rural communities with strong legacies and leaders who understand the connection between a vibrant downtown and economic growth and quality of life,” Durham said. “When you create good jobs and a place where people want to live, success follows.”  

After falling short of the Main Street designation in 2022, Boone leaders took the feedback and rallied the community. Groups have since partnered to renew focus on preserving downtown history and architecture, and during the past two years, the district has seen 15 new businesses. The city hopes to add or renovate upper-story housing to meet residential demand in the Boone County seat of 12,500, and also create short-term rentals for those visiting the Boone County Fair, International Motor Contest Association Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway, or Farm Progress Show.

“Boone has ramped up investment in the district to levels that would not have previously been thought possible, and we have so much more planned for the future,” Boone Mayor Elijah Stines said.

Indianola leaders want to position the community — population 16,000 — for continued growth as an alternative to nearby Des Moines’ big-city living. Following an Iowa Downtown Resource Center downtown assessment in 2018, leaders have worked to drive traffic to the town square by addressing the walkability, streetscape, blighted buildings, and business climate. Indianola is the Warren County seat, and a destination for residents and visitors as it is home to the annual National Balloon Classic, Des Moines Metro Opera, Simpson College, and the Warren County Fair.

“Downtown Indianola is the heart of our community, and we are excited and ready to partner with Main Street Iowa to become a truly unforgettable destination,” said Erica Roberts, Indianola Downtown Merchants board president.

Main Street Iowa accepts a limited number of new communities every two years. Applicants must demonstrate local support and investment, a downtown district with the potential for growth, and readiness to implement the time-tested Main Street Approach™ to revitalization and economic development.

Since its inception in 1985, the Main Street Iowa program has generated more than $2.5 billion in private investment, more than 5,000 new businesses, and 16,000 jobs.

Main Street Iowa is one of 46 programs in the Main Street America network and is often held up as an example of how to successfully leverage the Main Street Approach™ to revitalize downtowns and inspire economic growth.

For more information about Main Street Iowa and how all Iowa communities can access commercial revitalization assistance, visit iowaeda.com/downtown-resource-center.

Members of the Downtown Boone Committee and City Representatives attending the announcement in Cedar Rapids Tuesday morning.

(contributed press release, IEDA, photo and banner, Boone Downtown)