Main Street Oskaloosa Awarded Challenge Grant for Community Assessment

Main Street Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Main Street Oskaloosa and community volunteers will be working to define a brand and a marketing plan with the help of a recently awarded $20,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Main Street Iowa Program. The grant money will be used to fund a two-phased community branding and marketing plan that features hiring nationally-recognized expert Roger Brooks.
Brooks has worked with communities across the country to help them develop a message that sets them apart, rather than trying to be all things to all people. Brooks will advise Main Street Oskaloosa and area volunteers in the process of creating honed branding materials and a successful marketing campaign.

“This grant award is also significant because Oskaloosa will be the first Iowa Main Street Community to work with Roger Brooks,” said Karen Hafner, Main Street Oskaloosa Director. “We hope Oskaloosa’s project can be a model for other communities.”

The need for this marketing campaign arose from a previous community study, also supported by Main Street Iowa. The study identified the need for an active marketing plan anchored by a brand identity. Effective marketing of the community is important in drawing tourists, recruiting new businesses, encouraging local shopping, and attracting future residents to the area. The results from this process will be recommendations, materials, and training that will assist Oskaloosa in remaining vibrant and attractive for many years to come.

“Main Street Oskaloosa has already seen broad support from the community for this branding and marketing plan,” said Main Street Oskaloosa President Josh Buckingham. “Although Main Street Oskaloosa will be the lead organization for this effort, the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group (OACDG), Mahaska Community Development Group (MCDG), and Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development (MCARD) will also be closely involved the process. Additionally, we will be seeking volunteers from across the area to work with Brooks and Main Street to develop the materials and implement the recommendations,” said Buckingham.

The total project cost for a community assessment and development of brand materials and marketing plan is $82,000. Main Street Oskaloosa is still working to raise funds to fully implement the project. The Main Street grant, funds already committed from the City of Oskaloosa and local businesses, and the potential of other requested grants will cover about 75 percent of the project. Main Street Oskaloosa, OACDG, MCDG, and MCARD recently sent letters to businesses and individuals requesting their pledge of financial support, and will continue to work toward a successful marketing plan for the greater Oskaloosa community.