[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 STORY CITY, IOWA, DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, one of the greatest challenges we 
face--not just in Iowa but all across America--is preserving the 
character and vitality of our small towns. This is about economics, but 
it is also about our culture and identity. After all, you won't find 
the heart and soul of Iowa at Wal-Mart or Home Depot out in the strip 
malls. No, the heart and soul of Iowa is in our family farms, and on 
Main Street in small communities all across my State. That is why we 
need to be as generous as possible--and creative as possible--in 
keeping our downtowns not just alive but thriving.
  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am involved in 
funding many hundreds of programs every year. But the Main Street Iowa 
program providing challenge grants to revitalize downtown buildings 
across my State is in a class by itself. It is smart. It is effective. 
And it touches communities and people in very concrete ways.
  For example. the citizens of Story City, IA, and the editor of the 
Story City Herald, Eloise Thorson are making efforts to improve their 
downtown and spur investment in the area. Eloise and the Story City 
Herald received a Main Street Challenge Grant in 2003 to reclaim their 
old downtown location. In 1987, the building that had housed the Story 
City Herald was deemed unsafe for occupancy and demolished. Receipt of 
the $25,000 Main Street Challenge Grant was the true catalyst to the 
reestablishment of the Story City Herald in its original location.
  This positive change is causing more positive change, as vacancies in 
Story City's downtown are being filled and more building owners are 
taking interest in improving the look of their downtown. Community 
pride in the downtown is returning. Since becoming a Main Street Iowa 
Community in November of 2004, Story City's downtown has seen over $4 
million in private investment, as well as a net gain of 16 businesses 
and 46 jobs.
  Eloise Thorson and the Main Street Challenge Grant gave a great deal 
back to the community by replacing a long vacant building lot with a 
magnificent piece of architecture, gracing Story City's ``main'' 
street. The community pride in this project is evident as pedestrians 
walk along Broad Street and stop to show off this new construction to 
visitors and tourists. Residents are proud to have this century-old 
business located back in the downtown district, renewing faith in the 
future of Story City.
  The beauty of the Main Street Iowa program is that the ideas and 
initiatives come from our small towns and rural communities. I have 
been pleased to secure $1.5 million in funding since 2002 for Main 
Street Iowa Challenge Grants. The Main Street programs of the Iowa 
Department of Economic Development help provide technical assistance, 
but, as we have seen in Story City, success itself comes from local 
leadership, local teamwork, and home-grown ideas and solutions.
  This project is a shining example of new construction and a catalyst 
for future projects. When people see one of the anchors of Main Street 
being renovated or expanded, this can change the whole psychology of a 
town or community. It offers hope. It serves as a catalyst for a far-
reaching ripple effect of positive changes.
  So I congratulate Eloise Thorson and the citizens of Story City for 
putting together a winning proposal to secure a Main Street Challenge 
Grant. Their efforts to reinvigorate their historic downtown are 
setting a terrific example for other small towns across America, and 
for that, I salute them.

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