The Carroll City Council approved a proposed plan to revamp the perception of the community’s central business district during its meeting last week. According to City Manager Aaron Kooiker, this plan was developed based on input from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Downtown Resource Center team following their visit to Carroll in November 2023.
The plan includes $200,000 to provide dollar-for-dollar matches of up to $100,000 for two demonstration projects. Another $50,000 will be allocated to five smaller, $10,000 façade projects, with the remaining $65,000 going to marketing contracts, branding services, and wayfinding improvements throughout downtown. The local funding will be used for local buy-in from the city government when businesses apply for available IEDA resources, such as the highly competitive Community Catalyst Grant program. Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton sought clarification from Kooiker on how the plan prevents too many city resources from going to a single business or location.
Former Mayor Mark Beardmore also addressed the council during the discussion. He says he is not opposed to the plan but cautioned the council against dipping too deeply into the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) fund.
A budget amendment would be required to incorporate the plan, but those aren’t uncommon as new projects, programs, or initiatives come up during the course of a budget year. At-Large Councilman LaVern Dirkx says there is also some pressure from the IEDA to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later.
The council voted unanimously to approve the proposed downtown programing. They also approved a 62-page IEDA Downtown Design Guide to assist businesses and property owners in preparing for participation in the new initiative. Links to the relevant documents in their entirety are included with this story on our website.
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