Reaction from area residents continues to pour in regarding Guthrie Center’s recent nod as a new Main Street Iowa community. 

Two local elected officials are chiming in, as State Representative Clel Baudler and State Senator Jake Chapman are both congratulating the City on its designation.  Representative Baudler says the volunteerism shown by members of Guthrie Center Revitalization and others in the community should be commended in particular.

“I think the City of Guthrie Center should be congratulated.  (Main Street Iowa) is a really nice award.  The group that headed this effort up there activated the whole community, put some excitement in the community.  And I think that is the most important thing–the volunteerism–to revitalize a city or a town… it’s very important.”

Senator Chapman says Guthrie Center will feel a huge economic impact from Main Street Iowa once what he terms, “the real work,” officially begins.

“In working with Iowa cities and development organizations, Main Street communities have assisted in the creation of I think nearly 4,100 new businesses and more than 12,000 new jobs since 1986.  It’s really a great opportunity for Guthrie Center and I’m looking forward to seeing how it progresses over the years.”

Stay tuned to Raccoon Valley Radio for more reaction and updates relating to Guthrie Center and Main Street Iowa in the days and weeks ahead.