Each year Mainstreet America and its partners go through applications to find the towns with programs that meet their performance standards of preservation-based economic development and community revitalization. Main Street Washington has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program by  Main Street America and Main Street Iowa.

Last year Washington received a pair of Grants from Main Street America including the $100,000 Challenge Grant for Winga’s Café rehabilitation and $300,000 Downtown Housing Grant to add four new housing units into Downtown. Sarah Grunewaldt, the Executive Director of Main Street Washington says that being a member of the program is huge, especially in Iowa.

“I don’t know if a lot of people know this but Iowa has one of the strongest Main Street programs in the country. By being affiliated with those programs and keeping up with our accreditation are outpacing other communities similar in size in terms of growth, business startups and downtown residents.”

For more information about upcoming events and current Main Street Washington Projects you can contact Sarah Grunewaldt at the Washington Chamber of Commerce.