The City will also receive a written report to help guide future planning efforts for the central business district.
The downtown assessment is a three-day process coordinated with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, as Storm Lake hosts a team of experienced downtown development professionals who have worked with communities of varying sizes throughout the Midwest.
During the assessment visit, the team will be meeting with representatives of the community, including business owners and retailers, industry leaders, educators and students, economic development leaders, contractors, the finance and real estate communities, longtime residents and other groups.
“The assessment visit is a great way for a community to take a step back and get honest feedback from downtown professionals and community residents,” explains Jim Engle, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center. “The five-person team will highlight the downtown’s strengths and challenges, and will offer some practical recommendations that the community can implement over time.”