CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Director Debi Durham (left) presents a check for $100,000 to Marshalltown Central Business District Director Deb Millizer (right). Marshalltown was one of the 13 Main Street Iowa communities to receive a challenge grant, which will go toward facade improvements and restoration at the Hopkins building.

A few weeks after developers Janelle and Joe Carter got word that they would receive a $550,000 grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for upper story housing at the Willard’s building, it was announced that they will also get a $100,000 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant for exterior facade improvements on the neighboring Hopkins building at 32 West Main Street.

A total of 13 Main Street Iowa communities qualified for the grant during this round of awards, and it requires a funding match from the developers. According to Janelle Carter, the goal of this project is to tuckpoint the front brick and install classic windows with the goal of reflecting the building’s rich history. Eventually, the plan is to create 14 units of upper story housing and recruit a new business to occupy the lower level, which has been vacant since the 2018 tornado.

“It’s super exciting for us. This is an honor to get this grant because it’s highly competitive, so we’re so thankful,” Janelle Carter said. “It’s the very first grant we’ve received for this building. Hopefully, we’ll receive some others and make the project go.”

Marshalltown Central Business District Executive Director Deb Millizer is excited about the city’s continued success in applying for grants and what it will mean going forward.

“I feel like Marshalltown is winning. We have been through so much, and this is stuff that has been worked on in the background for the last several months,” she said.

The Hopkins building was erected in the late 1800s and restored in 1902. The Carters are developing the building along with brothers Peter and Scott Cutler, who are based in the Des Moines area.

“Once again, I feel like that corner is a catalyst project for the downtown,” Janelle Carter said. “It’s a very expensive endeavor, but we think it’s worth it.”

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.