Lansing City Council supports business grant application, reviews financial matters and concerns with leaf collection
by Joshua Sharpe
The Lansing City Council approved a letter supporting Main Street Lansing’s proposed $50,000 grant application during its Monday, October 19 regular meeting. Main Street Lansing Executive Director Jackie Cooper explained that funding from the Iowa Rural Development Council and Wells Fargo Foundation would help businesses prepare for anticipated Highway 9/Main Street construction in 2028. The application deadline is October 30, and Cooper said no matching funds are required.
Proposed activities supported by the funding would include marketing, business roundtables, entrance assistance, and signs directing customers to businesses during construction. “It’s more signage for the businesses to help those customers find the business through construction when they have to park away from the routine of on the street,” Cooper explained, also emphasizing keeping business owners connected throughout the preparations. “I would like to host round tables to have the businesses come together so that they feel supported. We’re all going through this together.”
Council members discussed the proposed spending and the importance of receiving supporting documents in advance before providing the letter. The grant application remains subject to a funding decision by the Iowa Rural Development Council.
MAIN STREET LANSING FUNDING
During its annual community update, Main Street Lansing requested $15,000 in city funding for 2027, matching the contribution reported for 2026. Cooper explained that city support accounts for about 21 percent of the organization’s funding, with the rest coming from other sources.
The update presentation highlighted more than 2,600 volunteer hours, downtown events, updated visitor maps, and tourism promotion. Cooper also described a $15,000 Travel Iowa award supporting photography, video, and advertising, along with separate rebranding assistance valued at $15,000 through Main Street Iowa. She further described upcoming priorities include promoting Lansing as a destination, preparing downtown businesses for construction and strengthening the organization’s fundraising and operations. The council did not approve the 2027 contribution at this meeting but will take it into consideration for future budgeting purposes.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, October 28, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
