Senator Dennis Black of Newton will be in Colfax on Monday, August 23rd at 12:45 PM at the Colfax Community Senior Citizens Center, 1 E Howard Street, to host a Listening Post. Senator Dennis Black will be joined by special guest, State Senator Tom Rielly of Oskaloosa, a small business owner, former mayor, and chair of the Transportation Committee.

The Listening Post is an opportunity for small business owners and the general public to share ideas for growing Main Street and to learn about state programs available to support small businesses including low interest loans and free or low-cost business consulting services. For example, during the 2010 session, the Legislature created a low-interest loan fund and provided for free or low-cost business consulting services.

If you are interested in attending, please contact the Colfax Main Street office at 515.674.9071 or colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com.

Ann-Marie Towsley with daughter Madeline during the Jasper County Fair parade.

Ann-Marie Towsley is the July 2010 Colfax Main Street Volunteer of the Month.

Ann-Marie is a new member of the Colfax Main Street Promotions Committee and is very involved with coordinating Music in the Park and Mineral Springs events. Recently, Colfax Main Street was awarded a monetary grant from Nationwide, her employer, for Ann-Marie’s many volunteer hours. Ann-Marie is most excited about this volunteer opportunity to get to know more local residents and support our community by making a difference.

In her spare time, Ann-Marie attempts to relax with her husband, Jeremy, and two daughters, Madeline and Olivia. She enjoys meeting new people, spending time with friends and family, and scrapbooking. She is also a full time student working to obtain her Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership.

The Colfax Main Street Volunteer of the Month is chosen by the Colfax Main Street Organization Committee. To nominate a volunteer, please call 515.681.7654 or contact heather.christine@gmail.com.

The 24th annual Iowa Downtown Summitwill be held August 24 & 25 in Davenport, Iowa. The conference provides opportunities for to make new contacts, hear about the latest trends, acquire practical information and ideas, and learn strategies for historic preservation-based commercial district revitalization that is relevant to rural, mid-sized and urban communities. Some session topics include: upper story development, farmers' markets, marketing, retail innovations, creating child friendly districts, fundraising, niche promotions, helping retailers compete, engaging a young workforce, and understanding market analysis. In addition, tours of Davenport's LEED certified police station, mixed use development, arts and culture venues and neighborhood commercial districts will be offered. Conference registration is available online at www.iowalifechanging.com/register. Online pre-registration is available until August 13. After August 13, you may attend the Iowa Downtown Summit by registering on site. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Colfax Main Street office at 515.674.9071 or colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com to arrange group transportation and other accommodations.

Do you want to learn more about Main Street? The next orientation session hosted by Main Street Iowa staff will be Tuesday, August 3 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM in the downtown Des Moines office of Main Street Iowa. The orientation is open to staff and volunteers of all Main Street Iowa communities. Various topics will be covered including a Main Street overview, design services, business improvement services, program services/requirements, monthly reports, work plans, and roles/responsibilities of the local board, committees and program director. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Colfax Main Street office by Wednesday, July 21 at 515.674.9071 or colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com.

If you had a magic paintbrush and could change the appearance of downtown Colfax, how would you do it?

One way that the Colfax Main Street Board of Directors have decided to use their magic paintbrush is to apply for the State of Iowa's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Downtown Revitalization in the very near future. The CDBG for Downtown Revitalization will help spruce up the front facing exteriors of many downtown Colfax buildings. If selected, Colfax Main Street will receive a $500,000 grant.

Many downtown property owners have already been contacted and the response has been overwhelming favorable. Main Street Iowa has completed many designs, cost estimates are being prepared and other project related work is underway. Be sure to check out the before and after design proposals attached below.

Does this sound like a project you would like to get involved with? If so, contact the Colfax Main Street office at 515.674.9071 or colfaxmainstreet@gmail.com. It's not too late for building owners to participate and for volunteers to get involved.

Colfax Main Street just wrapped up a two day Program Assessment with Main Street Iowa. The Program Assessment is a series of meetings that every new Main Street Iowa community attends after they have been in the Main Street Iowa Program for one year. (Can you believe it's been one year!!)

A major component of the Program Assessment was a Community Conversation or public meeting to gather community input for the future direction of the Colfax Main Street program held on Tuesday, July 13 from 6-9 PM at the Howard Street Christian Church with approximately 30 people in attendance. Main Street Iowa facilitated the discussion and asked questions to gather community input including:
What has been Colfax Main Street's greatest accomplishment to date?
How can Colfax Main Street improve Colfax's social activities / promotional opportunities?
How can Colfax Main Street become a more effective organization?
How can Colfax Main Street make Colfax a better place for business? Improve business climate?
How can Main Street improve the look and feel of downtown Colfax?

The results from these questions were openly shared during the meeting and later Main Street Iowa compiled the results plus additional guidance into a report which is available on the Colfax Main Street web site, see below attachments.

Overall, the Program Assessment was a great learning opportunity for Colfax Main Street. With the help of Main Street Iowa staff, we will be able to focus our future direction on those items that are most important.

The annual Jasper County Fair began this Friday, July 16 and will continue until Thursday, July 22 at the fairgrounds in downtown Colfax. This year's fair theme is "Where the Memories are Made."

Daily fair highlights include the following:
Friday, July 16: lawn mower races
Saturday, July 17: baby review contest, fun pet show, tractor pulls
Sunday, July 18: 5:30 PM free supper, fireworks, 7 PM music in the park with Bob Dorr and the Blue Band at Anspach Stage/Women's Club Park
Monday, July 19: 7 PM Jasper County Fair Parade through downtown Colfax
Tuesday, July 20: 5 PM open horse show
Wednesday, July 21: bucket calf show, 7 man football and guitar hero
Thursday, July 22: 9 PM teen dance

For a complete schedule of events visit www.jaspercofair.com.