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Market study under way now
News · September 21, 2017


Kevin Rogers, Executive Director of the West Branch Community Development Group; announced that a major undertaking has initiated that would allow community residents and business persons to participate in a Community Market Study.


Organized by the WBCDG, and supported by the City of West Branch, the Community Market Study is the first step toward continued revitalization and marketing of our widely recognized historic downtown.

Rogers said a special project team assembled by WBCDG initiated work on the project three weeks ago, and formally met with Iowa Economic Development officials Aug. 31 for a formal kick-off. The WBCDG, the local Main Street Iowa non-profit group spearheading downtown West Branch revitalization efforts, is performing the study to fine-tune and enhance not only downtown business development and marketing strategies, but strategies community-wide. Rogers said the study will include an in-depth analysis of input collected from local business and consumer surveys to be conducted throughout the month of September.

Rogers reports that team members are in the midst of the project’s initial discovery phase that includes the collection and review of background information and an assessment of not only the downtown business climate but the community business climate.

The team is also reviewing current demographic and economic data to assess conditions and to identify possible opportunities for business retention, expansion, and recruitment.

“We’re excited to gather the perspectives and ideas of area residents, visitors and business persons who will be participating in surveys. As a result, we’ll gain a better sense of what downtown West Branch can be in the future, and how the community can focus its efforts to make positive things happen in the downtown.” – Kevin Rogers



According to West Branch City Administrator, Redmond Jones II, this information and input will be important in creating strategies aimed at retaining and developing a quality mix of businesses throughout the city. Special components of the study, scheduled for completion this fall, include business and consumer surveys designed to identify and assess opportunities for business expansion and recruitment in the downtown business district, and recommendations for the implementation of related projects and activities.

“Throughout all phases of the project, we’ll actively seek input from all sectors of the community. We’ll be asking lots of questions and exploring a broad range of scenarios in an attempt to determine a direction that’s right for not only downtown West Branch, but the community,” Rogers said.

The West Branch Community Development Group has also gained technical assistance and support from Main Street Iowa in 2017 to complete a local market study. For more information about the study and opportunities to participate, contact Carolyn Anderson, project chairperson at ande5800@gmail.com, or Kevin Rogers at 319.643.7100 or mainstreetwestbranch@gmail.com.