Our Mission and Vision
Mission
The mission of Newton Main Street is to preserve the history, invest in the future, and develop pride in our downtown district through community involvement, volunteerism, and private-public partnerships within the Main Street district, the heart of Newton.
Vision
Newton, the proud county seat of Jasper County, is a thriving community. Our centrally located, historic downtown defines our character and culture. Downtown Newton is a visually stimulating showplace and a vibrant district with diverse shopping, dining, living, and entertainment.
A cohesive design plan and complementing financial incentives encourage property owners to invest in their buildings and respect a balance between downtown’s historic integrity, modern elements, and improvements. A recently completed downtown streetscape incorporates sustainable practices, honors our community’s history, and enhances downtown as our central gathering place.
Newton Main Street is the hub for communication, community buy-in, local partnerships, and strong local leadership. A clear, implementation-oriented plan continually shows progress and demonstrates success.
A full calendar of multi-generational activities provides a mix of retail and special events that draw residents and visitors day and night. Each year our signature downtown event highlights the best our community has to offer and builds upon our strong downtown image as a hometown community with a base of diverse entertainment options.
New quality downtown living opportunities offer live-work space, market-rate, and affordable upper-floor residential options. Downtown residents, visitors, and local citizens support locally owned businesses and restaurants. Local business resources support independent entrepreneurship, help maintain anchor businesses, like our locally owned theater, and aid in the recruitment of destination business opportunities.
Downtown Newton is distinctively different and a perfect opportunity to get to know Newton.
Main Street Iowa
The Main Street Iowa program works with a select group of communities committed to exceptionally high standards for downtown economic development. As a Main Street America(TM) Coordinating Program, the over 50 communities in Iowa are connected to a network of 40 programs across the country representing over 1,200 communities.
Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 35 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.