Main Street Washington receives $100,000 Challenge Grant for Koller + Plus, LLC Professional Project

November 3, 2022 – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced awards totaling $934,430 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects, such as historic building rehabilitation and upper story renovations.

“The Main Street Iowa Challenge grants have been instrumental in revitalizing Iowa’s historic main streets,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Reinvesting in our traditional commercial districts is good business. It’s good for our economy and good for our state. These projects will bring new businesses and new residents to our downtown districts.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of these 10 projects is over $2.8 million. Main Street Washington is honored to work with Bob Koller and Cherie Murphy on their project. The project at 206 S. Iowa includes the historic preservation of the front & rear façade as well as the total rehabilitation of a vacant and gutted living space on the 2nd floor.

“We are so thankful for the Koller + Plus, LLC Professional team for reaching out to Main Street Washington to assist in their building renovation. This grant not only contributes to our downtown revitalization efforts, but will provide much-needed temporary housing for professionals looking to move to Washington – making our town the best place to live, work, and play!” said Main Street Washington Board of Directors President, Maddie Widmer.

Since the first Challenge Grants were awarded in 2002, about $13.7 million in funds have leveraged more than $67 million in private investment. Over the life of the program, 216 projects in 56 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state have received funding. Main Street Washington has been in existence since 2008 and has spurred over $15 million in development in the restoration and rehabilitation of downtown buildings and filling vacancies.