The full report from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Downtown Resource Center’s assessment of Carroll’s central business district has been released. The assessment team visited Carroll for 2.5 days near the end of November and reviewed the number/type of businesses, appearance, viability, and more during their review. The initial report found Carroll’s downtown is thriving compared to most of the communities they visit. Their study found Carroll has a wide variety of shopping options downtown, but public awareness of those businesses is somewhat lacking. Their recommendations for the city and economic development leaders moving forward centered on five themes: business image/identification, activities/events/experience, leveraging resources, building façade improvements, and developing a new use for the former JCPenney building. The 41-page report is available below. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more on the Downtown Assessment in upcoming newscasts.
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