Link Carroll Daily Times Herald
Rebecca McKinsey
Manning was celebrated several times during the Main Street Iowa Awards Celebrations last week.
The city received awards for best interior rehabilitation of a business and superior marketing efforts, as well as an individual leadership award during the

annual statewide awards celebration held April 7 at

Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.
The awards ceremony recognizes cities around the state that are involved with the statewide economic-development organization Main Street Iowa, which was created in 1985.
This year, Main Street Manning received the following awards:
— A “Superior Marketing Efforts” award for the city’s “It’s Refreshing” brand campaign, which was jointly awarded to the City of Manning, the Manning Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Manning.
— A “Best Interior Rehabilitation” award to Jaime and Ben England for the renovation of the Main Street building that now houses the Market Place.
— A Leadership Award to Jean Voege for her “dedication to Main Street revitalization by enhancing economic development in Manning and the State of Iowa,” a news release states. Voege served in 2016 as chair of the Main Street Manning Organization Committee and coordinator or the Family Feud fundraiser.
Out of 160 nominations, 15 projects and activities were recognized, according to a news release.
Manning and Jefferson were the only two cities in the state to receive two achievement awards, said Ron Reischl, chairman of Main Street Manning’s Business Improvement Committee. One city received three; several others received one.
This year’s event was the 31st annual Main Street Iowa Awards Celebration.
Main Street’s impact by the numbers since 1985, according to the release:
— New businesses started: 4,514.
— Net job gain: 13,402.
— Building projects reported: More than 740.
— Investment in building projects: More than $2 billion.
— Documented hours worked last year by people involved with Main Street Iowa: 156,135.
“The Main Street Iowa program has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1985,” Gov. Terry Branstad said during the event, according to the release. “The program continues to bring businesses, jobs, investment and vitality to our states’ traditional business districts.
“The Main Street Approach works, and Main Street Iowa has been a national model because we are creative, we embrace change, we demand local initiative and action — but we hold strong to our roots as a historic preservation program.”

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SUPERIOR MARKETING EFFORTS
 
In 2010, the City of Manning, Manning Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Manning (MSM) kicked off an effort to revitalize the Manning website. A team of volunteers engaged Main Street Iowa for assistance to answer the question “what do we brand ourselves?”
 
In 2011, Main Street Iowa employed two professional marketing companies, Downtown Pros and Arnett Muldrow & Associates, to develop a brand for Manning. They found Manning to have the following attributes: deep-rooted history in thinking ahead; stepping up to the plate and getting things done; a community that cares for one another; neighbors are considered family; our handshake is our promise; proud of our German heritage; a humble lot, with big vision and the stubborn determination to accomplish whatever we set our minds to.
 
The recommendation and branding strategy were revealed December 2011 and the slogan “Manning Its Refreshing” was adopted. In 2012, a graphic depicting Manning’s skyline icons (German Hausbarn, Trinity Church, Milwaukee Trestle and water tower) was developed as part of a separate Visioning Program led by Iowa State University and Trees Forever. The graphic, along with a blue swoosh, were integrated into a brand logo.
 
The branding strategy and style guide provided direction and tools needed to create a marketing package to support broader promotional, branding and economic development goals. The style guide contained ready-to-use graphics, visual aids and marketing examples adaptable to various mediums and applications. After months of preparation, the brand was launched mid-2012 with a community kickoff and major press coverage.
 
The initial $9000 budget was sourced through donations and a Timmerman Charitable Trust Grant and were used to market the brand. Subsequent monies were raised thru sales of the Refresh Manning banners on Main Street.
The brand slogan/logo is integrated into many Manning entities and initiatives. In recent years, it has been used in the following manners:
City of Manning correspondence, business cards, vehicles, clothing and blade signage
Main Street Manning correspondence, office signage, clothing and business cards
Printed on C3 (Christ, Celebration and Community) T-shirts
Newspaper and radio ads
Billboards along Highway 141
Social media
Manning Its Refreshing Trust Fund
Main Street banners
Memorabilia (for sale and free), bumper stickers, Manning photo books
Public Relations campaign designed by Drake University
Trail To Nowhere fundraiser
 
As a result, the two brand elements, slogan and logo, have extensive recognition within and outside the community. Buildings have been painted, roofed or lit in the brand colors. It has become a pervasive element of the downtown district and the community. Additional “refreshing” art structures designed by Iowa State University’s College of Design will be fabricated/installed in multiple areas of the community.
 

The Market Place Best Interior Rehabilitation Award
 
Ben and Jaime England wanted to raise their children in Manning.  Ben found employment with Puck Custom Enterprises and Jaime pursued a dream to own her own business. She purchased an empty storefront on Main Street from the Manning Betterment Foundation and completely renovated the building interior. She was successful. Her business, The Market Place, was recognized with a statewide reward from Main Street Iowa for Best Interior Rehabilitation!
A BIG transformation was necessary. The new interior had to look different, smell different and feel different. It needed to be open, inviting and fun. Jaime envisioned a place that makes people feel good when walking in…something unexpected, especially for a small town. It needed to feel like a destination - even for the locals.
The thought, research, and physical work of the interior renovation process seemed overwhelming. Jaime designed an interior which looked good but functioned even better. First impressions are lasting and The Market Place provides a WOW factor.
Demolition included removal of the false ceiling and wall plaster covering the original bricks. The 50-foot span of front windows dramatically provides interior natural light. Uncovering the rear windows provides a see-thru look. Original tin roof decking now serves as the ceiling and sets a weathered background for shiny new exposed ductwork. Modern track lighting contrasts the vintage warehouse feel. The 100-foot long brick wall is softened by wood-look flooring. A fresh coat of grey paint for one wall provides a neutral backdrop to updated wood shelving units which belonged to a prior occupant- a department store 50 years ago.
Wood removed from the massive ceiling was reclaimed for framing back rooms, finishing counters and bathroom ceilings and creating a sliding barn door. The bathroom roofline showcases clay tiles, stamped 1924, from the original Manning Hospital which was torn down from its former Main Street address. A checkout counter from the old department store, now proudly topped with salvaged vitrolite glass from the exterior front façade, was also repurposed and is nestled between two reclaimed wood beams at the storefront.
The open floorplan is essential to keeping the space flexible. Plumbing was restricted to one wall, suggesting a natural traffic pattern between the coffee bar, seating, and restrooms. A children’s play area boasting a chalkboard wall (and photography background) is conveniently located near the seating area, which doubles as space for hosting a variety of classes and social activities: canvas painting, jewelry making, and more. Bright patio lights are strung overhead to provide additional lighting. Large painted shelving carts repurposed from the prior department store and other display units are outfitted with wheels to easily rearrange the store, which happens frequently. Antique wooden ladders are often used for displays and even become a well-loved Christmas tree during the holiday season.
The Market Place serves the community and surrounding area by providing a coffee shop, retail and social activities. The Market Place is an integral element of Manning’s vitality and vibrancy. Shoppers come from all over central and western Iowa. It serves as an inspiration to the community and other entrepreneurs. This Main Street Iowa award confirms Jaime’s vision and puts a stamp of approval on the overall design of The Market Place.

Main Street Iowa held an awards ceremony Friday night in Des Moines, and several area communities went home with prestigious recognition after the event. Main Street Manning, in partnership with the Manning Chamber of Commerce and the City of Manning, were presented with the award for Superior Marketing Efforts in recognition for the implementation of and the ongoing campaign for “Manning, It’s Refreshing.” The Market Place in Manning also received an award for the Best Interior Rehabilitation and Jean Voege was the recipient of the Leadership award. Jefferson Matters: Main Street submitted eight nominations over 11 categories and received two category awards, one leadership award and Main Street Hero recognition. Home State Bank brought home the Outstanding Business award, Empty Building Tour received the Game Changer award, Nick Sorenson received the Leadership award and Kathy Hankel was named the Jefferson Main Street Hero posthumously. Sac City brought home two trophies, one for their Excellent Event or Promotion for Moonlight Madness and another went to Scott Bundt for Leadership. Jefferson Director, Peg Raney, said their Board of Directors were very pleased to be honored among the 52 outstanding Main Street Communities that submitted 160 award nominations.

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