March 18, 2024

Newton Main Street makes strides in inaugural years

Newton Main Street describes its district as the heart of Newton.

In many ways this is evident — the grand Jasper County Courthouse and its many functions as our county seat, the architecture and magnificent sculptures on its lawn. Surrounding this mainstay is significant history, longstanding businesses and new endeavors, shopping, dining, housing, entertainment — and still immeasurable opportunity.

In the two years Newton Main Street has been in existence, great strides have been made to celebrate our downtown district. With partnerships with the city, chamber, historic preservation commission and many others, much progress has been made.

The board of directors boasts some of Newton’s finest volunteers and the program’s director, Andrew Bassman, has demonstrated his leadership in a number of initiatives.

Last week Newton welcomed nearly 100 people as host to Main Street Iowa’s Spring Workshop. But far before the community could showcase its downtown district and welcome dozens of guests, a lot of behind the scenes work was accomplished.

Newton’s Main Street earned National Main Street Center and Main Street Iowa accreditation and became a stand-alone 501(c)(3). The largest grant available from Main Street Iowa was awarded to Newton’s Main Street last fall to the tune of $75,000 to restore the former Hotel Maytag Ballroom.

Other projects were more visible to community members. We enjoyed the return of the farmers’ market to downtown, celebrating local vendors, entertainment and socializing each Tuesday afternoon on the courthouse square. Other events like the second-story tour, commercial space open house, Shop Small Saturday promotion and cash mobs reinvigorated our excitement for our main street district.

In the coming months, Newton Main Street will begin its efforts to develop more support for its program. The pledge drive will mean fundraising, but perhaps one of the most valuable assets to Newton Main Street’s success is its volunteers. It’s our hope that business leaders and community members alike see the value in celebrating, supporting and investing in our downtown district.

It is the heart of Newton.