What does the future hold for downtown Avoca?  Community residents and business persons will have a chance to chime in as part of the Downtown Avoca Market Study project being orchestrated by Avoca Main Street, Inc.  Brent Hansen, President said a special project team assembled by Avoca Main Street, Inc. initiated work on the project last week. Avoca Main Street, the local non-profit group spearheading downtown Avoca revitalization efforts, is performing the study to fine-tune and enhance downtown business development and marketing strategies.

Hansen said the study will include an in-depth analysis of input collected from local business and consumer surveys to be conducted in March and April. Project team members are in the midst of the project’s initial discovery phase that includes the collection and review of background information and an assessment of the downtown business climate. The team is also reviewing current demographic and economic data to assess conditions and to identify possible opportunities for business retention, expansion and recruitment.

According to Hansen “The raw data and numbers that we’re reviewing now is good, important information, but we’ll be digging deeper to explore opportunities for downtown Avoca. We’re excited to gather the perspectives and ideas of Avoca area residents, visitors and business persons who will be participating in surveys. As a result, we’ll gain a better sense of what downtown Avoca can be in the future, and how the community can focus its efforts to make positive things happen in the downtown.”

“Ultimately,” he said, “the information and input will be used to create strategies aimed at retaining and developing a quality mix of businesses and uses that, based on solid market data, show the best potential to succeed in downtown Avoca.”

Special components of the study, scheduled for completion this summer, include business and consumer surveys designed to identify and assess opportunities for business expansion and recruitment in the downtown business district, and recommendations for the implementation of related projects and activities.

According to Brent Hansen, “Throughout all phases of the project, we’ll actively seek input from all sectors of the community. We’ll be asking lots of questions and exploring a broad range of scenarios in an attempt to determine a direction that’s right for downtown Avoca,”

Avoca is among a select group of communities receiving technical assistance and support from Main Street Iowa in 2015 to complete a local market study. United States Department of Agriculture Rural Community Development Initiative funding and Community Development Block Grant funding were procured by Iowa Economic Development Authority to underwrite market analysis training and technical assistance furnished to a select group of Main Street Iowa communities in 2015.

For more information about study and opportunities to participate, contact Anna Hoegh, Director at mainstreet@cityofavoca.com.

(Press Release)