[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ELKADER, IOWA, RESTORATION

 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's 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'm 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's smart. It's effective. 
And it touches communities and people in very concrete ways.
  For example, the citizens of Elkader restored and reopened one of the 
cornerstones of their town, the Elkader Cinema. The Elkader Cinema, 
formerly known as the ``Circle Theatre,'' was repaired with the 
assistance of a Main Street Challenge Grant. The faded, broken marquee 
and dilapidated building were sad focal points in Elkader's downtown, 
and the entire building was on the verge of demolition when the 
citizens of Elkader formed a special committee to spearhead the 
reopening the theatre. The committee was awarded a Main Street 
Challenge Grant of nearly $50,000. Without the grant from Main Street 
Iowa, the private party who purchased and renovated the theatre 
building most likely would not have undertaken the project, as it would 
have been too risky.
  The theatre is now a thriving business. It is open seven days a week, 
and attendance has proven the seven-day-a-week schedule to be 
worthwhile. The theatre has had a very positive impact on other 
downtown businesses as well, bringing customers from all over Clayton 
County into Elkader. This project has been a tremendous success for 
Elkader, Clayton County and Main Street Iowa.
  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 Elkader, 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 anchor businesses on 
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.
  I congratulate the citizens of Elkader 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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