‘Growing Garnavillo’: Economic development committee reactivated
By Steve Van Kooten
After nearly a decade, the Garnavillo Economic and Industrial Development Committee (GEIDC) has returned, and its members are ready to “grow” their community.
The GEIDC, which first organized in 1987, got a jump start this past May when one of the original members contacted Bill Robinson about restarting it. The committee has 16 members representing different demographics in the community, including young parents, business owners and long-time residents.
Since returning, the GEIDC has identified four focus areas for the next one to three years: improve the appearance of the business district, increase local events, pursue grant opportunities in cooperation with the city and county and invest in housing programs.
“We decided to focus on the next one to three years to try to beautify the town and revitalize downtown businesses,” said Robinson, who is the committee president.
The committee plans to work with the city of Garnavillo to promote the sale of housing lots, improvements to the business district and a walking trail project.
The GEIDC identified improvements for downtown streets, such as curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Beautifying the town isn’t about slapping on some makeup and calling it “good enough”; Robinson sees an opportunity to attract visitors and new residents when they come through town.
“We still have a downtown business area that’s occupied. We’ve got a town that looks nice as you drive through... Our central business district is three blocks long, and we’re right on Highway 52, which has 3,000 cars per day pass through. If we can make a good impression as they’re passing through, maybe they’ll come back and visit. Maybe they’ll think about Garnavillo as a place to live,” said Robinson.
The GEIDC is planning to showcase those positives by promoting local organizations with banners downtown and bringing back or building upon community activities.
The committee plans to organize a Holiday Home Tour with five local homeowners to get everyone in the holiday spirit, as well as seasonal yard, flower, decor and lighting contests.
They are also bringing back a farmers’ market that will take place every Thursday between May 29 and Oct. 9 from 3:30-5 p.m. in the city park. According to Robinson, there are at least eight vendors committed to the market already.
Robinson and crew are interested in more than just fixing problems; they also want to accentuate Garnavillo’s strengths.
“Garnavillo is part bedroom community, but it’s also very affordable,” said Robinson.
In a smaller community, affordability is an elusive virtue, and Robinson thinks Garnavillo can build on its central location in the county and lower costs because of the services it has available for young families.
“We’re centrally located, so people have a lot of options here. People can work in Guttenberg, Prairie du Chien, McGregor and Elkader... That also attracts people. It’s an easy drive to those places by highway,” he said. “We have the day care here in town, which is attractive for young families, and the elementary school for the district is here. That also makes it very attractive for them.”
The committee meets once a month. For further information or to become a GEIDC member, contact Bill Robinson at 563-880-1103 and visit their Facebook page. A membership is $25 per year.
Community members can send donations to the GEIDC at P.O. Box 312, Garnavillo, IA 52049.
