BOONE, Iowa—Boone’s effort to become a Main Street Iowa (MSI) community is advancing as the Downtown Boone volunteer committee spearheads the drive in conjunction with the City of Boone, the Boone County Chamber and others.

The two groups signed a letter-of-intent earlier in February. Submitting that letter of intent to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is an early required step in the process. City support is a crucial component to even submitting a Main Street Iowa application, let alone being selected. The groups both recently took part in a Main Street Iowa application workshop along with others involved in the effort. Additionally, the city’s economic development committee also connected the Main Street concept to Boone’s Downtown Incentive Fund (BDIF) program requirements. The Main Street Iowa advisory team praised the BDIF program during Boone’s 2022 attempt to become a Main Street community and indicated that Boone should do more with the program.

Boone’s downtown committee is now in the early stages of preparing its formal application to Main Street Iowa. The process will take several months into the spring and summer to complete.

Committee members will be seeking pledges of financial support and more volunteers are always needed to become a part of the initiative. Go to www.boonecountychamber.com/downtown-boone to get more info and sign up today!

In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted Main Street America’s Main Street Approach model, establishing Main Street Iowa as a program of the IEDA. Today, MSI is recognized as one of the most successful state Main Street programs in the nation. Main Street Iowa effectively helps Iowa communities use their historic downtowns and neighborhoods as a vehicle for economic development. Main Street Iowa promotes economic development through historic restoration in its select group of 50+ communities that are part of the program.

(contributed press release)