[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2017-S2018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CEDAR FALLS HISTORIC RECOGNITION

 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 Streets in small communities all across my State. That is why we 
need to be as generous as possible--and as 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, which provides 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 Cedar Falls, IA, and their Main Street 
program are making efforts to improve their downtown and spur 
investment in the area. The Blackhawk Hotel received a Main Street 
Challenge Grant in 2003 to renovate its historic downtown location. The 
Blackhawk Hotel, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is 
the oldest continuously operating hotel site in Iowa. More recently, 
another Challenge Grant was awarded for the Bruhn Building to help 
complete a forward-thinking project that will transform the designated 
area into a gathering space, entrance, outdoor dining room, and 
vertical garden on Main Street.
  Thanks to these and other projects undertaken by the Cedar Falls 
community and business leaders, the city was recognized last month by 
the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its ``2010 Dozen 
Distinctive Designations.'' According to the National Trust, this 
distinction recognizes ``cities and towns that offer an authentic 
visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, 
attractive architecture, cultural landscapes and a strong commitment to 
historic preservation, sustainability and revitalization.'' I would 
like to commend the excellent work of all those involved in these 
economic development efforts in Cedar Falls.
  State and Federal programs can provide limited funding and technical 
assistance to progressive cities like Cedar Falls. But, as we have seen 
here,

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success ultimately comes from local leadership, local teamwork, and 
homegrown ideas and solutions. 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. Cedar 
Falls is a shining example of the great things that are possible. So I 
am pleased to congratulate the Main Street program and the citizens of 
Cedar Falls for formulating a strategy that has reinvigorated its 
downtown and won accolades from an esteemed national organization like 
the National Trust. Their vision for a revitalized Cedar Falls is 
setting a terrific example for other small towns across 
America.

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