Three Main Street Iowa Awards to Jefferson

Main Street Iowa has been posting through social media the recipients of the 2020 Main Street Iowa Awards.  Jefferson has received three of the awards – Partner of the Year to City of Jefferson, Fantastic Fundraiser to We Aim High Investment Drive, and the Signature Award to The Jefferson Rural Forge project.  The following is Main Street Iowa’s comments on these awards.

The next highlighted project is the second of two communities being honored with a 2020 Partner of the Year Award. Working alone, #MainStreet organizations accomplish great things for their downtowns, but when partnerships are developed much more can be done. The Partner of the Year category recognizes partnership efforts of an outside organization with the local Main Street program.

Congratulations to the City of Jefferson Iowa for their impressive partnership with Jefferson Matters: Main Street. While all #MainStreet programs are required to have a partnership with their respective city, #JeffersonIA is demonstrating a partnership that extends beyond the basics. In addition to the city being a partner in improving the aesthetic value of downtown through banners, flowers, and street improvements, the City of Jefferson and Jefferson Matters: Main Street have become development partners substantially increasing the value of and pride in the #downtown and community. Their collaborative actions have increased the private sector interest and investment in downtown properties. Using city funds, dilapidated buildings have been purchased and rehabilitated to provide opportunities to attract traffic generating businesses. Property owners in need of support are provided $150,000 in forgivable loans on eligible projects. The City also has a 50/50 matching façade grant program that has supported several significant projects. A quarterly work session held between the City Council and Jefferson Matters: Main Street Board create an opportunity to share, accomplishments and create action steps for future projects. The impact of this partnership is felt across the community. Residents and visitors compliment the look and feel of the district and the local school system, hospital and other non-profit organizations have expressed a positive outcome in their recruitment efforts. This partnership is noteworthy, not only for the impact on the local community, but also for the state and national attention their efforts have achieved.

The Fantastic Fundraiser Award recognizes a local #MainStreet program’s efforts to raise money for the program’s operations that demonstrate a quality process, board of directors’ engagement, and positive financial impact.

Congratulations to Jefferson Matters: Main Street and their “We Aim High” Investment Drive as 2020 Fantastic Fundraiser Award! A solid investment drive is the base for many nonprofit organizations. Raising over $70,000, engaging new community investments, using high quality graphics and professional-quality messaging, and having fun throughout the process, the “We Aim High” investment drive demonstrates a model process and fundraising outcome.