Historic Valley Junction receives Cultural District signage
For Immediate Release February 13, 2007
(DES MOINES, Iowa) –Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Interim Director Cyndi Pederson today unveiled and presented signage designating Historic Valley Junction as a Cultural and Entertainment District.
The CED certification encourages city and county governments to partner with local community organizations, businesses and individuals to enhance the quality of life for Iowans, and allows the Historic Valley Junction CED to market cultural opportunities effectively and aggressively.
“Historic Valley Junction has demonstrated over the years a true commitment and desire to build on its success,” Pederson said. “There’s a spirit of cooperation here among businesses and different groups that draws visitors and cultural workers to the area. Iowa is one of the first states in the country to certify cultural districts, which not only celebrate Iowa’s cultural opportunities, but also are great tools to promote economic development.”
The Historic Valley Junction Cultural District is centered on historic 5th Street from Vine Street to Railroad Avenue. The Historic Valley Junction CED includes Phenix Early Childhood Center, the central business district, single family homes, unique stores and restaurants, art galleries and independent businesses. As one of Central Iowa’s most unique attractions, Historic Valley Junction has been a Main Street community since 1987. Contact Jim Miller at 515-222-3642 or visit www.valleyjunction.com for more information.
CEDs enrich local economies by developing and sustaining cultural arts opportunities that enhance property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the tax base of the region. CEDs also contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community by attracting a diverse and well-educated workforce – a key incentive for new and relocating businesses.
Benefits offered to CEDs could include historic tax credits for rehabilitation of historic structures or other incentives that create live/work space for cultural workers, space for cultural enterprises and access to financial assistance programs from state agencies and other funding partners.
Other communities that have received CED certification include Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Cherokee, Clinton, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Elkader, Fairfield, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City, Muscatine, Pella, Perry, Sioux City, Spencer and Waterloo.
Applications for next year’s certifications are due September 1, 2007. For more information, contact Jack Porter at 515-242-6152 or jack.porter@iowa.gov or visit www.iowahistory.org.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions, the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
