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Kris Patrick, Executive Director
Kris Patrick fell in love with historic buildings as a child, growing up in a victorian house that had been in her family for four generations. Merging a background in small business and a passion for historic buildings, Kris enjoys working with business owners and volunteers to revitalize rural Iowa. She started her position in December. Kris and her husband Byron will be relocating from Lucas County where she served as Main Street manager and Executive Director of Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street since 2012.
Kris began her career in performance art, studying with Michael Sims at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She worked as project manager at Des Moines Civic Center for Iowa Dance Theatre. She is also a certified activity director and recreational therapist and worked with dementia and Alzheimer patients before joining Chamber/Main Street in Chariton.
Kris is a former small business owner, business consultant – acting as SBDC affiliate for Chariton, and was a staff writer for Chariton Newspapers for five years. Kris and Byron share four boys, all grown, two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and a love for the outdoors.
President Stucky Properties
Secretary First American Bank
Treasurer Flannery Tax
Immediate Past-President McClure Engineering
Design Chair Allers Architects
Main Street Matters Chair Eastwood Realty
District Business Representative Krimmins & Kehm Law Firm
At Large Carpet World Flooring America
Communication Chair River Hops Brewing
COMMITTEES
Main Street Fort Dodge follows the Four Point Approach to downtown revitalization developed by the national Trust for Historic Preservation's National Center with the goal of economic development within the context of historic preservation.
The Main Street movement, let by the National Main Street Center, involves more than 1,000 designated programs throughout the country. The cumulative success of the Main Street Approach© and Main Street Programs on the local level has earned Main Street the reputation as one of the most powerful economic revitalization tools in the nation.
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Build a diverse economic base
Catalyze smart new investment
Cultivate a smart entrepreneurship ecosystem
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Create an inviting, inclusive atmosphere
Celebrate historic character
Foster accessible, people-centered public spaces
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Build leadership and strong organizational capacity
Ensure broad community engagement
Forge partnerships across sectors
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Market district's defining assets
Community unique features through storytelling
Support buy-local experience
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COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION
Economic Vitality
Economic Vitality focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today's consumers. Activities of this division include, among others: Market Analysis, welcoming new businesses, business inventory, business classes, one-on-one consultations, and free assistance from Main Street Iowa business specialists.
Main Street Matters Chair: Laura Eastwood
Promotion
Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics. Our Promotion Team communicates the commercial district's unique characteristics, business establishments and activities to shoppers, investors, potential business and property owners and visitors through advertising, retail promotions, special events and marketing campaigns.
Committee Chair: Morgan Fitzgerald and Mary Kay Daniel
Design
Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart. It takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in a commercial district by directing attention to all its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping merchandising, window displays and promotional materials.
Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district. Enhancing the districts' physical appearance through the rehabilitation of historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, educating business and property owners about design quality and long-term planning are all a part of Design.
Committee Chair: Jim Hosek
Organization
Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district. By getting everyone working toward the same goal, the Main Street program can provide effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the downtown business district.
Communications
Communications supports overall comprehensive marketing and communications strategies. The Communications Committee partners with the Executive Director to oversee a consistent and active communication strategy to all stakeholders for the purposes of program messaging, fundraising, awareness and branding.
Committee Chair: Ron Grebner
Fundraising
Friendraising is a primary function of our Fundraising Team, creating collaborations to strengthen Main Street Fort Dodge efforts and in turn increasing vibrancy in the district. We build partnerships by collaborating between many organizations, across the public and private spectrum.By getting everyone working toward the same goal, the Main Street program can provide effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the downtown business district.