Main Street Elkader

Main Street Elkader is a 30 year old local non-profit program that is state and nationally accredited under Main Street America and Main Street Iowa. Our organization is made up of a volunteer Board of Directors and four volunteer subcommittees that holistically works to create a vibrant thriving downtown. Since the inception of our organization in 1991, we have helped create 140 jobs downtown, documented 129,570 volunteer hours, and encouraged nearly $5.3 million of private investment into our downtown district. 

We rely on community support to help drive our systematic downtown revitalization efforts. These revitalization efforts are planned, implemented, and assessed by our four point committee approach:

• Our Economic Vitality committee focuses on strengthening and broadening the economic base of the Main Street district. Improving the overall business climate within a designated Main Street district enhances the community's existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base. Economic Vitality covers a broad base of economic development topics ranging from business development, business retention, business recruitment, market analysis, housing development and much more.
• Our Design committee focuses on enhancing the physical elements of downtown while capitalizing on the unique assets that set the district apart. Using preservation-based strategies, Main Street encourages building reuse through appropriate rehabilitation and maintenance and provides education to help communities protect and manage their historic resources. The Design Committee assists with historic preservation education, downtown beautification efforts and building rehabilitation guidelines.
• Our Promotions committee focuses on positioning the Main Street district as the center of the community and the hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community's unique characteristics. The Promotions Committee organizes community based events, hosts events that stimulate downtown economic growth, and aids in the marketing and image work for Main Street Elkader.
• Our Organization committee focuses on building strong, broad-based support in the form of human and financial resources and involving both the public and private sectors with a stake in the downtown revitalization initiative. The grassroots, volunteer driven initiative is dependent upon stakeholder involvement, leadership development and empowerment, therefore, primary focuses are fundraising, volunteer development and communications.

Testimonials

"We invest in Main Street Elkader because we value their role in helping businesses succeed for the entire community's benefit. Success is contagious, and Main Street Elkader empowers businesses, residents, and our community to prosper." - Kathy Mueller, President & CEO at FreedomBank

"I support Main Street Elkader because this organization is a key piece of what knits our community together. Main Street has done and continues to do so much for our community. It connects us, strengthens us, and has helped us make positive lasting community change."
- Janis Lerch, Owner of Elkader Floral Shop

"I give to Main Street Elkader because I want to see the community become the best that it can be. The Main Street program is committed to keeping economic dollars flowing into the community by bringing new ideas to current businesses and attracting new businesses to town. Main Street Elkader volunteers are challenging processes to invoke change and investing in the community through projects, grant writing assistance, and giving their time to simply make things happen. I support positive change and growth in this community, therefore I support Main Street Elkader." - Ashley Augustyn, Freelance Marketer/Owner of Ashley D Marketing