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Major infrastructure work can be an absolutely traumatic event for local, small businesses and it's up to you to help them overcome.
I first want to start by thanking the city leaders and city staff for their investments into road, sewer, and beautification for our downtown rebuild efforts. I also must recognize and thank Water Works for their investment in the water infrastructure as well.
These efforts are hard, but highly impactful on the backend. They stand to assist with the attraction and investment efforts we are looking for downtown from the private sector, and we so appreciate the investment that our local government is making into this crucial infrastructure.
Unfortunately, with that investment comes considerable disruption, and the most impacted are the businesses that are trying to navigate those interruptions. Not only do they personally have to work through utilities being shut off and turned on, loud noise and dirt and dust, they often struggle with consumers like you and me making choices to avoid the area or delay shopping or service to avoid the mess.
I would challenge you to fight that urge and lean into the mess! Come down to State Street and see the progress happening, and while you are there choose to support your local businesses. Don't hesitate to schedule a service with Big 8 Tyre, when you are planning your weekend shopping take the extra steps to get to State Street Trading Company as work shifts that direction later this summer, and lunch any day at Maria's Tacos is a great day. These businesses are important to our community, they are important to our downtown, and these are owned by our friends and neighbors just trying to navigate a once in a generation project.
Just remember, it's never hard to shop local, but it's easy to not. Get out and enjoy the construction for the progress it brings to our community, but make sure to make the conscious effort to support those local businesses when you get the chance so that when we have brand new infrastructure to celebrate, we still have those businesses around to join in the celebration with us.
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John Hall is the President and CEO
of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce,
and Deb Millizer is the Executive Director of the Marshalltown Central Business District.