Le Mars Main Street Committee Chairs: (from left to right) Brad Pick, Promotions; Terri Schroeder, Organization; Michaela Brown, Vice President Of Main Street; Terri Martin, President Le Mars Chamber Commerce; Tim Claausen, Business Improvement; and Rich Ziettlow, Design.
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Main Street four committees are beginning work on 2021 projects. The mission of Main Street Le Mars is to stimulate economic development in downtown Le Mars
by encouraging cooperation and building leadership in the community; by maintaining the historic character while
creating a positive downtown image and promoting it as an exciting place to live, shop and invest; by improving the appearance of downtown; and by strengthening and expanding the economic base of the downtown.
“The Main Street Committees are starting to meet virtually this month,” stated Main Street Manager Mary Reynolds. “In 2020 because of the pandemic Main Street projects and events were
put on hold. As committees meet via ZOOM, I am seeing volunteers eager to plan activities for the future.”
Serving as Vice President of the Main Street program is Michaela Brown. Brown has served on Main Street committees for the past five years. She has shared many ideas that other communities across the nation have done in regards to downtown amenities and festivals through her travel with the family musical group.
The four Main Street Committees are:
Design – Chair Rich Ziettlow This committee works on improving the looks of the downtown district through art with Alley Art and the fiberglass ice cream cones. The group is focused on the
historic architecture of the downtown and seeks to save building through historic restoration and preservation. They seek grants to help building owners enhance their projects— State of Iowa
Challenge grant and City of Le Mars façade grant are two grants that have been used multiple times in Le Mars. The Design Committee works with the Le Mars Historic Preservation Commission on projects and restoration efforts. Currently the
Design Committee is beginning work on a new street-scape plan for downtown.
Organization – Chair Terri Schroeder This committee is the fundraising arm for Main Street.
Special events, activities, festivals, etc. are coordinated to raise funds and highlight our community. The Halloween Trick or Treating event is organized through this committee. Plans are being laid out for a large Fall Festival, Cricket Tournament, a RAGBRAI activity along with numerous other events. The organizational committee efforts bring together the public
sector, private groups and individual citizens to work more effectively for our downtown.
Business Improvement —Chair Tim Claussen This committee looks at different ways to assist businesses in the Main Street district whether it’s grants, loans or educational opportunities.
They look for ways to use vacant or underused spaces. The committee distributes surveys to
gain information about the public’s opinion of downtown Le Mars.
Promotions – Chair Brad Pick This committee assists downtown businesses by planning different promotions and events. The group is composed of business owners, managers and the media. This committee to make sure we have a strong downtown business district.
Le Mars has been a Iowa Main Street community since 1995. For more information on the Le Mars Main Street program, or to get involved, contact Mary Reynolds at the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce 712-546-8821.
