Marshall County residents, government officials, business owners, and all interested are invited to a presentation from Jim Engle, Iowa Downtown Resource Center Director and Jim Thompson, Downtown Economic Development Specialist with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) on Wednesday, March 25. They will discuss “Ten Essentials for Small Town Downtowns.” Attendees will hear ideas to bring vitality to small communities, specifically the downtown areas. Examples will be shown of small towns across the state that have made aesthetic improvements, business development, promotional events and more. Grant opportunities to improve downtowns will also be discussed.

This event is hosted by the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce. There are two separate meeting times, each of which will include the same IEDA presentation. Attendees are encouraged to choose the timeframe that works best for them.

MORNING: 6:30-7:30 AM

West Marshall High School Auditorium

601 3rd St NW, State Center, IA 50247

RSVP encouraged: https://forms.gle/LRWJm5QGepEf6Hbo7

Please RSVP by March 20, 2026.

EVENING: 5:30-6:30 PM

East Marshall Elementary School Gym

201 E. Weissenburger St, Laurel, IA 50141

RSVP encouraged: https://forms.gle/LRWJm5QGepEf6Hbo7

Please RSVP by March 20, 2026.

Downtown Walk Around Schedule for Marshall County

State Center Meeting 6:30-7:30 AM

8:00-9:30 AM State Center Meet @ City Hall (118 Main St. State Center, IA)

9:45-10:30 AM Rhodes Meet @ Post Office (108 S Main St. Rhodes, IA)

10:45-11:15 AM Melbourne Meet @ City Hall (111 1st St. Melbourne, IA)

11:30-12:00 PM Haverhill Meet @ Haverhill Social Club (210 1st St. Haverhill, IA)

Lunch 12:30-1:00 PM

1:30-2:30 PM Albion Meet @ Albion Municipal Library (400 N Main St. Albion, IA)

2:45-3:30 PM Le Grand Meet @ The Community Center (206 North Vine St. Le Grand, IA)

3:45-4:30 PM Gilman Meet @ Partner Communications (101 E Church St. Gilman, IA)

Laurel Meeting 5:30-6:30 PM

“If your town is not on the list, you are more than welcome to attend another town’s time slot if you would like. Dress accordingly because we will be outside,” Marshall County Economic Development Director Alex Ferneau said.