Washington Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant awards presentation in Des Moines, Thursday, November 6, 2025.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced nine Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants Thursday, and Main Street Washington was one recipient. 

Main Street Washington was selected as one of the programs and received a $100,000 Challenge Grant for the building project at 115 North Iowa Avenue. Iowa Economic Development Director Debbie Durham shared what makes the Main Street program special, “It’s not a top down effort, it’s homegrown, it’s about neighbors and volunteers, business owners and dreamers all working together to make the community you live in come alive. Our main streets are more than just the people and the storefronts. This is where our stories live, where people gather, where ideas are born and where history meets opportunity. They’re the heart of our towns, and where they thrive, the whole community does as well.” 

The funds will be used to revitalize phase one of the project. Since 2002 246 projects in Iowa have been funded by Challenge Grants totaling $16.5 million in grant funds, and impacting more than 50 Main Street Iowa communities.