[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CEDAR FALLS, IOWA

 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 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 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'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.
  An example of this effect can be found in the efforts of the citizens 
of Cedar Falls to restore and reinvigorate their downtown area. 
Downtown Cedar Falls pursued the Challenge Grant opportunity from Main 
Street Iowa on behalf of two projects: The Black Hawk Hotel, which is 
the oldest continuously running hotel in the state of Iowa; and the 
Jiva Salon spa building. Both buildings received dramatic facade 
improvements that restored the buildings to their intended looks, and 
as a result contributed to the success of the businesses that occupy 
them. The hotel also renovated its interior, adding a barber shop, an 
evening lounge, 24 luxury suites, a deli, and a sushi bar, and the 
salon now houses a first class spa that attracts a regional audience.
  Downtown Cedar Falls is a newly recognized Cultural District by the 
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and that designation resulted in 
part from the impact of these two projects along with the other 
investments encouraged through their initiative. The beauty of the Main 
Street Iowa program is that the ideas and initiatives come from our 
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 Cedar Falls, 
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 Cedar Falls for putting together a 
winning proposal to secure a Main Street Challenge Grant. Their efforts 
to revitalize their historic downtown are setting a terrific example 
for other towns across America, and for that, I salute them.

                          ____________________