Keokuk County residents, business owners, and government officials are invited to an upcoming presentation about keeping small town downtown areas thriving.

Jim Engle, Director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Keokuk County native, and Jim Thompson, Downtown Economic Development Specialist, will present “Ten Essentials for Small Town Downtowns” next month in What Cheer and Keota. The presentation is designed for small towns like those found in Keokuk County, and highlights 10 key actions that towns and residents can take to keep their downtown areas thriving.

The presentation will be given twice, the first on June 2nd at 6:30 p.m at the What Cheer Opera House, and then again at Keota City Hall on June 3rd.

Engle and Thompson will share photos, success stories, and challenges from Keokuk County communities, giving examples from other towns with populations of under 2,000 residents. They will also pass along information about grant opportunities for downtown improvements.

The presentation is being brought to the area by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Keokuk County Economic Development.