Main Street Coon Rapids (MSCR) is one of five recipients in the state of Iowa for a $30,000 grant through the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC). The program, supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation, assist various communities to strengthen rural entrepreneurship, and support local businesses and community vitality. MSCR Executive Director Katie Mason says the funding will be used for an initiative for downtown Coon Rapids when a significant project is underway.
The city is hoping to go to bid in January for the streetscaping project that will consist of a three-block reconstruction in downtown to replace underground water mains, storm water drainage, ADA accessibility sidewalk and storefront entrances and more. Businesses owners on Main Street were concerned the construction would cause disruption to sales and services due to limited customer access, parking and visibility. Mason says the “Surviving Streetscaping” initiative is hoping to solve all that.
Some of the grant will go to fund mini grants for businesses to “spruce” up their back entrance and alleyways.
Mason says the Surviving Streetscaping program is mainly to help businesses continue to thrive during disruption, but is hopeful the effects will be seen long after the competition date.
Coon Rapids officials are expecting to go out for bid to hire a general contractor in January 2026, with the project to begin in the spring with completion anticipated in the fall.
