ABOUT US
Main Street Fort Dodge:
Downtown Revitalized
Main Street Fort Dodge is working with business and property owners in the 33-block District. The boundaries closely align with the Downtown Historic District; however, are slightly larger in some areas to the south and east because they are part of the downtown pedestrian connections and include some key commercial redevelopment areas.
In August 2017, Fort Dodge joined the Main Street family of communities across the country revitalizing their economy through historic preservation. The SSMID Board of Directors created a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit merging Main Street and SSMID.
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The Downtown Fort Dodge Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) was formed in 1982 to breathe economic life into historic downtown Fort Dodge. Fort Dodge initially became a Main Street community in 1987 to revitalize the District which suffered economic decline for many years. Accomplishing many goals, Fort Dodge left the Main Street program in 2002, the SSMID Board of Directors continued sponsoring public projects making the District safer, easier to navigate, and creating garden spaces throughout the downtown.
Mission & Vision
Main Street Fort Dodge is working to reclaim the downtowns purpose and prosperity by revitalizing the culture and character of the original merchant district.
Board/Committees
Main Street is always accepting new members for each of our four standing committees: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Click Here to see a full and detailed description of each committees' responsibility.
In The News
Always stay up to date with our latest announcements, news and involvement in our wonderful community.
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.
SSMID Economic Impact
The Economic Impact of Main Street Fort Dodge centers on our desire to create a supportive environment that sustains and attracts businesses in historic downtown Fort Dodge. In 2008 the Fort Dodge Community adopted the Downtown Plan, which included 34 recommendations for creating an attractive and desirable downtown. The Fort Dodge Downtown Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) worked with community leaders and non-profits to implement more than 70% of the Downtown Plans’ initiatives!
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 AmericaTM Coordinating Program, the 54 communities in Iowa are connected to a network of programs across the country. Fort Dodge is the 3rd largest district in the state.