August 5, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced that Fairfield has been designated as the state’s newest Main Street Iowa community, marking a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to downtown revitalization and long-term economic development.
The announcement was made during the opening session of the 2025 Iowa Downtown Conference in Muscatine, where leaders from across the state have gathered to network and celebrate community-driven progress in Iowa’s downtowns.
“Fairfield has long stood out for its cultural depth and entrepreneurial energy,” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Now they’re building on those strengths to create a more welcoming downtown — one that brings people together, supports local growth and makes residents proud to call it home.”
Located in southeast Iowa, Fairfield is home to more than 60 nationalities — a diversity reflected downtown in its mix of historic architecture, international cuisine and public art. The community’s distinctiveness has earned it both national and global recognition, including a nod from Smithsonian magazine as one of America’s best small towns and designation by the Intelligent Community Forum as one of the world’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities.
Fairfield first applied for Main Street designation in 2024 but was not selected. Over the past year, the Jefferson County seat of about 10,000 residents has strengthened its steering committee, expanded local partnerships, increased investment and acted on key recommendations from an Iowa Downtown Resource Center downtown assessment.
“We believe this is the beginning of a new resurgence for our downtown, which is the hub of activity for Fairfield,” said Mayor Connie Boyer. “Currently, we have volunteers doing a weed cleanup — and even this little activity has spawned some other cleanup activity. We look forward to being in full speed in creating our new vision for downtown Fairfield.”
Fairfield becomes the 54th community to join the Main Street Iowa network. The group is dedicated to revitalizing historic commercial districts using the Main Street Approach™, a nationally recognized model that focuses on economic vitality, design, promotion and organization.
As a Main Street Iowa community, Fairfield plans to prioritize walkability and facade improvements; fill underused commercial spaces; mobilize volunteers; promote arts and culture; and reinforce downtown’s role as a destination for dining, shopping and connection.
A local celebration is scheduled for August 12 in Fairfield.
While new designations are typically awarded every two years, 2025 presented a unique opportunity: as Main Street Iowa prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, several strong applicants from 2024 were invited to reapply. Communities must demonstrate broad local support, a downtown district with redevelopment potential and the leadership capacity to implement the Main Street Approach™.
Since its inception in 1985, Main Street Iowa communities have generated nearly $2.9 billion in private investment, supported the opening of more than 5,600 new businesses and created more than 17,000 new jobs.
Main Street Iowa is one of 46 programs in the national Main Street America network and is widely regarded as a model for downtown revitalization success.
To learn more about Main Street Iowa and resources available to all Iowa communities, visit iowaeda.com/downtown-resource-center.
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