Market Survey to Explore Future for Downtown Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa Main Street

What does the future hold for downtown Oskaloosa?

Community residents and business persons will have a chance to chime in as part of the Oskaloosa Downtown Market Study project being orchestrated by Oskaloosa Main Street.

Josh Buckingham Oskaloosa Main Street Board President said a special project team assembled by Oskaloosa Main Street initiated work on the project last week. Oskaloosa Main Street, the local non-profit group spearheading downtown Oskaloosa revitalization efforts, is performing the study to fine-tune and enhance downtown business development and marketing strategies. Buckingham 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.

Buckingham said 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.

“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 Oskaloosa,” Buckingham said. “We’re excited to gather the perspectives and ideas of Oskaloosa area residents, visitors and business persons who will be participating in surveys. As a result, we’ll gain a better sense of what downtown Oskaloosa can be in the future, and how the community can focus its efforts to make positive things happen in the downtown.”

“Ultimately, 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 Oskaloosa,” said Buckingham.

Special components of the study, scheduled for completion this spring, 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.

“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 Oskaloosa,” Buckingham said.

Oskaloosa Main Street is 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 select Main Street Iowa communities in 2015.

For more information about study and opportunities to participate, contact Oskaloosa Main Street at 672-2591.