Seven Main Street Iowa communities have reached private funding benchmarks, the Iowa Economic Development Authority recently announced.

The Main Street Iowa program provides funding, technical support and resources to improve commercial districts throughout the state. The benchmarks are preset thresholds used as measurement standards for private investment in Main Street Iowa districts.

IEDA officials said reaching the benchmarks demonstrates an ongoing commitment to revitalization, economic growth and historic preservation in these communities.

The communities – Albia, Colfax, Grundy Center, Manning, Marion, Monticello and Newton – have collectively attracted $100 million in private funding for commercial district rehabilitation and property acquisition.

Kanan Kappelman, IEDA marketing and communications team lead, said in an email that the private investments include rehabilitation and preservation projects, as well as property acquisition numbers since the inception of each program.

Below are the amounts each city has raised since the start of their Main Street program, followed by the year the program started in that community and more details about the investments:

Marion: $50 million, 2013; past investments have included the renovation and restoration of a historic building to create apartments.

Newton: $20 million, 2014; residents and businesses worked together to create a new park downtown, green space at the former Maytag production facility and converting a former Maytag building into a 78-unit apartment complex.

Colfax: $10 million, 2009; the city’s former city hall, built in the 1880s, was sold and converted into a coffee shop with a small venue space.

Manning: $10 million, 2009; within the past few years, downtown property owners have invested in renovating existing spaces for 10 businesses.

Monticello: $5 million, 2022; the city worked with Theisen’s to redevelop the former middle school building into a 35,000-square foot Theisen’s Home Farm and Auto store. Funding also helped a sporting goods store go from a 1,200-square-foot space to a 4,500-square-foot building.

Grundy Center: $3 million, 2015; buildings have been renovated to make room for commercial spaces and apartments.

Albia: $2 million, 2022; a historic building was renovated to make room for a third business, and a vacant funeral home was converted into nine apartments.

“Main Street Iowa communities continue to show incredible progress in preserving and enhancing their unique character,” Debi Durham, director of the IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority, said in a prepared statement. “These achievements reflect the power of collaboration, and the vision of community leaders who strive to create thriving, welcoming spaces for residents and visitors alike.”