In her new role, Dvorsky will be guiding and directing all Ames Main Street initiatives related to events and business relations, including committee and volunteer efforts. She will also oversee event strategy, planning and execution for all Chamber of Commerce events and event series.
“I have had the privilege of seeing both the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Ames Main Street grow so much over the past few years and I am excited and grateful to take on a larger role within the organization,” said Dvorsky.
Dvorsky has been with the Ames Chamber of Commerce since March of 2019. She has supported a number of projects and events as the the Events Coordinator for both the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Ames Main Street throughout that time.
“We are thrilled for Sarah to be making this transition,” said Dan Culhane, President and Chief Executive Officer. “She has continuously proven her commitment to the bettering of the Ames community, and this is the perfect next step for her.”
Dvorsky will step into this promotion on Monday, July 26, and can be contacted at [email protected]
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]]>“We are very excited to bring this new event to Downtown Ames,” said Kim Frey, Director of Ames Main Street. “This community event will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to Discover Downtown Ames in a new way. We are working closely with businesses in the district to create a unique experience for all.”
515 Day celebrates those who live, work and play within the 515 area code district on 5/15. Activities will include, but are not limited to, family-friendly activities, live music, specials and sales, and more. Customers who shop in the district on 515 Day may enter their receipts for a chance to win $515 in Community Cash.
Businesses and organizations in the district are invited to create a 515 Day-inspired special, event or activity for customers.
COVID-19 precautions will be in place as deemed appropriate at the time of the event. Updates will be communicated as they are available and on amesdowntown.org and on the Ames Main Street social media channels.
515 Day is presented by US Bank.
To register as a participating business or for more information, visit AmesDowntown.org.
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]]>“The longstanding tradition of hosting the Fourth of July Parade in Downtown Ames is a community favorite,” said Kim Frey, Director of Ames Main Street. “At this time, we are confident in our ability to safely host the parade and look forward to bringing the community together this summer.”
COVID-19 precautions will be in place as deemed appropriate at the time of the parade. Updates will be communicated as they are available and on amesdowntown.org and on the Ames Main Street social media channels.
To register to participate in the parade or for more information, visit AmesDowntown.org.
Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
CONTACT:
Kim Frey | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
]]>“We are very excited to have Kim join our team and begin to build relationships in Ames and throughout Story County,” said Jan Williams, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations.
“Her previous Chamber of Commerce experience is helpful, since she understands the value of greater good and fostering engagement with business and industry!”
In her dual role, Frey will be guiding and directing all Ames Main Street initiatives related to events and business relations, including committee and volunteer efforts as well as supporting Chamber membership in a variety of capacities.
“Kim’s experience and passion for building community relationships and enhancing the Downtown experience is a tremendous asset to the Ames Main Street organization,” said John Hall, Vice President, Business Development and former Ames Main Street Director. “We are looking forward to supporting her efforts and helping the organization reach new heights.”
“I am thrilled to join the vibrant Ames Main Street community,” said Frey. “The Downtown District is the heart of so much of what we do in Ames, from arts and culture to unique dining experiences and fun shopping. I look forward to working with Downtown businesses to build upon the strong foundation we have to create an even more dynamic district.”
Frey joins the Ames Chamber from the Princeton Chamber of Commerce in Illinois where she served as the Executive Director for over ten years.
Frey began her position on February 1 and can be contacted at [email protected].
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Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
CONTACT:
Kim Frey | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
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Ames, IA – Ames Main Street (AMS) was awarded a $75,000 Challenge Grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Main Street Iowa during a virtual presentation on Thursday, October 15.
The grant will be used to rehabilitate the buildings at 330 5th Street and 412 Burnett Avenue owned by Jerry Nelson. Nelson plans to fully restore the space with a full façade update and updating the interior utility and mechanical features for new entrepreneurs and businesses to secure a “like new” space within Downtown.
“Jerry’s choice to address the eyesore of these two buildings within our downtown reflects a broader desire to see increased vibrancy within our Downtown District,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “It’s clear that his vision for these properties will significantly change the impact of that corner of our downtown and provide visual interest to buildings that have been long neglected. His choice to rehabilitate and repurpose this space for future tenants underscores his commitment to our community.”
The entire project investment is $407,000 with construction expecting to begin this fall and expected to complete Spring 2021. Nelson has already started the search for tenants to lease the space upon completion.
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Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
CONTACT:
John Hall | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
]]>Shop For A Cause will pair Downtown Ames businesses with local non-profit organizations for the day, providing an opportunity to increase awareness and advocacy for the non-profit while shoppers check off their holiday wish lists in their favorite Downtown Ames shops. Businesses and non-profit organizations are collaborating in many different ways, including some businesses donating a small percentage of sales to their non-profit sponsor, while others are setting a workshop table up to create items for the non-profit organization, hosting a donation box, or even encouraging the non-profit to set a table up to talk with customers while they shop.
“I am very excited to bring this new event to Downtown Ames,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “Ames is a very philanthropic town, and Downtown is the heart of Ames. What better way to support our local non-profit organizations and small businesses than through a community event? We’ve only just started reaching out to our businesses to host non-profits and already have a great number of participating locations!”
The community is encouraged to shop and dine in Downtown Ames on Saturday, November 7 to support local and support non-profits.
Non-profit organizations and businesses looking to get involved with Shop For A Cause can sign up to participate on the Ames Main Street website, AmesDowntown.org.
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Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
CONTACT:
John Hall | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
Sarah Dvorsky | Events Coordinator, Ames Chamber of Commerce | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
]]>“The safety of our community members and business owners is of the upmost importance to us,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “The Downtown Trick-or-Treat event brings hundreds of children downtown with little space to socially distance in stores. In an effort to do our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, our leadership team determined this was a necessary cancellation. We look forward to hosting this event again next year.”
Updates will be communicated as they are available and on amesdowntown.org and on the Ames Main Street social media channels.
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Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
Contact:
John Hall | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
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The Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts program seeks to recognize well-identified, walkable, mixed-use, compact areas of a city or county in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serves as the anchor. This designation enables Ames Main Street to become eligible for marketing opportunities, promotional programming and technical assistance from the Department of Cultural Affairs and program staff.
“On behalf of Downtown Ames, I am very excited to have received this designation,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “With this designation we can further build Downtown Ames as an entertainment destination for the community filled with culture and art for all to enjoy. I can’t wait to continue building our district up.”
The Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts program was established in 2003 and to date has recognized 35 Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts. More information on the Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts program is available by visiting iowaculture.gov.
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Contact:
John Hall, Executive Director | [email protected] | (515) 233-3472
About the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa – State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations. iowaculture.gov.
About Ames Main Street
Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
]]>“We are proud to recognize this year’s 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have dedicated themselves to strengthening their communities,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These Accredited Main Street programs have proven to be powerful engines for revitalization by sparking impressive economic returns and preserving the character of their communities. During these challenging times, these Main Street programs will be key to bringing economic vitality back to commercial districts and improving quality of life during the recovery process.”
In 2019 alone, $6.45 billion of public and private reinvestment was generated, 6,466 net new businesses were opened, 32,316 net new were jobs created, and 10,412 buildings were rehabilitated in Main Street America communities.
Ames Main Street’s performance is evaluated by Main Street Iowa, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet ten rigorous performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.
“Achieving the Main Street America accreditation once again reaffirms our strength as a Main Street community,” says John Hall, Executive Director of Ames Main Street. “We are committed to continuing this relationship and growing the District into a destination place where all feel welcome.”
Ames Main Street has been a Main Street America community since 2009.
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About Ames Main Street
Ames Main Street was established on January 1, 2009. Its mission is to advance and promote downtown as the destination district in the heart of our community. To keep updated on AMS happenings, become a fan of Ames Main Street on Facebook, bookmark www.AmesDowntown.org, or contact our office at 515-233-3472. AMS is an affiliate organization of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.
About Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for 40 years. Today, it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $85.43 billion in new public and private investment, generated 672,333 net new jobs and 150,079 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 295,348 buildings. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
CONTACT:
John Hall | Executive Director, Ames Main Street | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
Andrea Hammes Dodge | Vice President, Ames Chamber of Commerce | 515-232-2310 | [email protected]
]]>Employee Parking Tag Pass
What is it?
Those working in Downtown Ames have the possibility of purchasing a Downtown Employee Parking Tag for the Central Business District (CBD) 4-hour lots (see Discover the District for map; parking tag eligible for XYZ lots in the 4-hour sections). These parking tags grant the tag holder ability to park for more than 4 hours in an available 4-hour space.
How Much is it?
Each parking tag is $10 per month, with payment made upon signing the contract. All parking tags expire on December 31 of the year issued, and must be reissued for the new year.
How do I Get One?
To receive a Downtown Employee Parking Tag, you must complete the contract and provide proof of employment at a Downtown business to the Public Works Department at 515 Clark Avenue.
Download & Print the Employee Parking Tag Contract
Reserved Parking Lease
What is it?
Those living and working in Downtown Ames may rent a reserved parking space in the CBD XYZ lots, Library Q lot, City Hall N lot, and/or Gilchrist W lot (see Discover the District for map). These parking spaces are indicated as reserved with a red “Reserved Parking” sign. This lease grants the tag holder ability to park for 24 hours in their leased space.
How Much is it?
Each reserved space is $50 per month. Billing statements are mailed out one month before they are due and must be paid on or before the 1st of each month for which they are due, or risk lease termination.
How do I Get One?
A signed lease and first month’s rent are required to start a lease, due to the Public Works Department at 515 Clark Avenue.
Download & Print the Reserved Parking Lease
ParkMobile Metered Parking App
What is it?
The ParkMobile app allows visitors to Downtown Ames the ability to pay for and refill the metered parking in the Downtown District through their phone. This solution is perfect for those without quarters, or find themselves staying in the district longer than intended.
How do I Get the App?
The app is available through both Apple App Store and Google Play and is free to download. Upon download, simply enter your credit information (all information is confidential).
