Osceola MainStreet earns honor for Latino Festival
Nearly 400 individuals from across the state attended the 22nd Annual Main Street Awards Ceremony held April 17 at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. Nominations were submitted for 110 projects this year; 28 were selected for awards and eight received honorable mention.
Osceola Chamber Main Street received the following awards:
Osceola Latino Festival – Best Partnership Effort Between Organizations
Michael Tramontina, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, presented the awards during the celebration. In addition, 37 Main Street Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to individuals, couples, and groups who were selected by their community for outstanding dedication and volunteer service benefiting the local Main Street program.
“The Downtown Resource Center and our department are dedicated to creating opportunities for economic development while at the same time preserving the unique character, charm, and history of our downtowns,” said Tramontina. “I am extremely pleased to have this opportunity to recognize the excellent work of the local Main Street programs and the dedication of their staff and volunteers.”
During the event, seven communities were recognized for reaching significant benchmarks based on private dollar investments made in the purchase and revitalization of downtown properties. Sac City reached the $2 million mark; Hampton achieved the $3 million benchmark; Corning and State Center have each realized $5 million in local investment; Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines attained the $10 million benchmark; Waterloo reached the $50 million level; and, Dubuque was honored for reaching $300 million in local investment since its program began in 1985.
Ottumwa, West Branch, and West Union received honors during the event for completing the intensive three-year start-up of phase of their downtown revitalization efforts and Main Street programs.
