The Clarence Corner Shop Project

What began as a sketch on paper, a lot of conversations and a whole lot of "wow, we can really do this!", the Clarence Main Street Board of Directors is SO PROUD to announce we are undertaking a project to transform one of the highest visibility properties in our business district. In January, the Board pursued the pre-application process for the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant, available through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. After submitting that pre-application we were invited to apply for the final grant application. On June 30 we were informed we were awarded this $100,000 grant!!!!

The objective of this project is to create four small business incubation spaces within the walls of the old Casey's building at 502 Lombard Street. This has the potential to bring four new businesses into our district! The Clarence Corner Shops project will have lots of updates in the coming weeks and months along with all the ways you can get involved. This community project will have a tremendous impact on the future of Clarence business.

There are so many folks to thank for making this project a reality. We are incredibly grateful to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for believing in our potential to transform this part of our business district, to the City of Clarence, Iowa for partnering with us, providing in-kind investment and looking to the future of our community, Steve Sparbel for selling the building to Clarence Main Street while sharing our vision, Main Street Iowa design specialists Sarah and Keegan, for helping to bring our vision to paper, and a quick shout out to some of our Clarence Main Street volunteers; Jamie Wilhau for pursuing this process with enthusiasm and perpetual optimism, Clarence Main Street board member, Jamie Wilhau, for leading the board to this phenomenal result, Jen Walters VanOort for organizing and writing the grant application and the entire network of Clarence Main Street volunteers, board members, committee members, investors and helpers!!

Keep your eyes on this space as we bring EVERY development to you!

Business Incubation Interest Form