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Main street program seeks to boost Iowa downtowns

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For Centerville, becoming part of a program that helps enhance historic downtowns could mean spruced up buildings, efforts to attract businesses — and maybe even a chance to convince a few people to move in.

The southern Iowa community was one of two recently admitted into Main Street Iowa. The program provides qualifying communities with training and technical assistance as they seek to improve their downtowns.

Mary Wells, director of Main Street Centerville, says she hopes improvements will help keep more people in the city. She says she'd like more young people living and working downtown.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority says the addition of Centerville and Grundy Center makes a total of 53 Main Street communities in the state.

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