Reflecting on 2024 & Looking Ahead to 2025

• Happy New Year! 2024 was a year full of growth and celebration across Downtown Washington, and we cannot express how grateful we are for our amazing community! We couldn’t have done it without YOU!

• 2024 Rundown for MSW:

  • 700+ Volunteer Hours (Worth $21,000+)!

  • 19 MSW Events

  • 22 Farmers Markets

  • $200,000 in Building Improvement Grants

  • 4 New/Expanded Businesses

  • 11 Confetti Celebrations

  • $15,000 Rebrand Grant from Main Street Iowa

• We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together in Downtown Washington this last year! Thank you to our invaluable partners, our dedicated volunteers, the community members who support our local businesses, our generous sponsors, and the innovative business owners who make our Main Street so vibrant! Main Street Washington is honored to work alongside you all, and we’re eager to see what we can achieve together in 2025!

• Two new members joined our Board of Directors and we’re so excited to see all they bring to our district in the coming years! Welcome, Leslie Allender, owner of Purposefully You Boutique & Home & Marilea Reusch from Community 1st Credit Union!!

• Ignite the Arts earlier this week was a huge success! We cannot express how thankful we are for all of the creative minds that came out to Art Domestique and shared their love for art and gave some fabulous ideas for the Great Places Committee! We can’t wait to see what our designation as a Cultural & Entertainment District will do for our community!

• Washington Fire Department’s Pancake Lunch and Supper, while not hosted by Main Street Washington, had a huge turnout! In total, over 2,200 meals were given to the community! You can read more about it here.

• In addition to our December newsletter, we wanted to give an additional thank you to everyone who purchased a Lights of Love tree and those who helped clean up afterward! Once again, thank you, Hills Bank, for sponsoring this tradition, and thank you, Atwood’s Christmas Trees, for providing the trees!

Mark Your Calendars: Exciting Events Coming Your Way

• 🩷 Share the Love with Main Street (Silent Auction)

  Mark your calendars to get in on the action! This is the perfect way to get an awesome Valentine’s gift for the special someone(s) in your life, and you don’t even have to do any shopping; just place your bid(s) online, and you’ve got it made!

  All updates and information can be found on Facebook.

  📍 ONLINE
  📆 Feb 6-8th

  Help us reach our goal of $5,000 to update and add to the holiday and seasonal decor downtown!

• 🥤 Galentine’s Sip & Shop
  Shop Washington’s beautiful stores, grab a bite to eat and a pink drink, and have a great night out with your best Gals!

  This fabulous event is brought to you by the Washington Retail Committee, Powered by MSW, and sponsored by Jessica + Sarah Realtors!

  📍 Downtown Washington, Start at Boho Bailey Boutique
  🕣 3pm-7pm
  📆 Feb 7th
  🎫 $5 per Ticket – Purchase at https://givebutter.com/galday25

  Click here to learn more about the participating businesses!

• 🎭 Washington’s Annual Dinner & Awards Night

  This dinner celebrates the partnership and accomplishments of Main Street Washington, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and Washington Economic Development Group! The evening begins with a social hour that is perfect for networking, a silent auction, a delicious buffet-style meal, and motivational speaker Dr. Eric Recker, and concludes with community awards from all three organizations!

  📍 Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
  🕣 5pm (Social Hour / Networking)

  6pm (Silent Auction, Dinner, and Speaker)
  📆 Mar 10th
  🎫 Preorder to Save ($60) or Pay $70 Starting Feb 25th, 2025 –

  https://givebutter.com/adawards25

Make a Difference: Support OUR Community’s Growth

Downtowns define communities. They set the character and tone for the rest of the community. A strong downtown equals a healthy and prospering community.

Show your support of the Main Street Washington program by investing in MSW! Our mission is to drive continued revitalization, growth, and preservation of the historic character of our district through appropriate design, promotion, and economic strategies with a community focus.

With your help, we will ensure that Washington’s downtown will be a welcome gathering place for all ages and nationalities where community pride and respect is evident. It will be a clean, safe, and inviting home to prosperous businesses, friendly people, and beautiful historic architecture with unique, regularly scheduled events. The heart of the city will reflect a health community, attracting tourists, newcomers, and businesses.

We cannot express how grateful we are for our community and the support that we receive. Main Street Washington would cease to exist if it wasn’t for YOU and YOUR help!

Interested in making a difference? https://givebutter.com/mswinvest