Keokuk, IA – In many communities in Iowa, the downtown districts are facing challenges from changing demographics and increased competition. These areas often contain niche businesses, restaurants, art galleries, and decorative landscaping. Sometimes, though, the downtown districts can include vacant lots, closed shops, and run-down buildings. Thom Guzman is the Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development's downtown resource center. He told an audience in Keokuk that every empty downtown storefront can cost a city as much as $250,000 a year in sales.
You can hear more with Thom Guzman by clicking the audio link above.