Author: Catherine Smith

Catherine Smith returns to Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation
The organization’s Board of Directors shares the excitement to have Catherine back in the leadership role for IFDDC.

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation’s (IFDDC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Catherine Smith has rejoined the downtown organization as Executive Director. Catherine joined the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation in 2017. 

Downtown Idaho Falls continues a trajectory of vibrant growth and momentum. Currently, with several historic buildings undergoing renovations and new businesses opening their doors in downtown Idaho Falls, the excitement is palpable. This growth persists from a tremendous 2021 in which millions of dollars of development was invested downtown along with small unique businesses opening their doors resulting in new jobs created in downtown. Existing businesses downtown maintained a solid path for success.

In addition to supporting the thriving economic health of downtown, projects will be led by IFFDC including: public art, community events such as the upcoming SpringBrew in June, beautification and communications to support downtown businesses broadly. The focus of IFDDC will remain squarely on supporting the economy and entrepreneurship found in the historic core of the city.

IFDDC Board Chairman, Kevin Cutler remarked, “I sincerely cannot think of a more qualified person that can keep IFDDC and all of the downtown relationships moving in a positive direction – and we are beyond excited to have Catherine lead our organization.”

Catherine is a fourth generation Idahoan and is tied to her local and regional community through nonprofit work and volunteerism. She serves as Vice President of the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, Vice President of the Civitan’s Club, Chair of the East Regional Council for the Idaho Community Foundation, serves on the Board of Directors of the District 91 Education Foundation, Greater Idaho Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, is a Commissioner of Idaho Falls Historic Preservation Commission, and is the Executive Secretary of the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. In 2019 she was recognized with the 2019 Idaho APAP Leadership Award. She is a graduate of the Leadership Idaho Falls program from the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as a Distinguished Under 40 award winner. She has also worked for the Idaho Community Foundation, Idaho Falls Arts Council, Post Register, and the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                       Contact

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation

Catherine Smith, Executive Director

208-535-0399, csmith@downtownidahofalls.com

IDAHO FALLS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

RECEIVES 2022 MAIN STREET AMERICA ACCREDITATION

Idaho Falls, Idaho (6/15/2022) – Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.

“We are extremely proud to recognize this year’s 863 nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”

In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, generated 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.

The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation’s performance is annually evaluated by the Idaho Department of Commerce’s Idaho Main Street Program, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.

Catherine Smith, executive director shares, “The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is thrilled to be recognized and accredited by the Main Street America Program. The Main Street approach is a deliberate effort to strengthen the downtown core for strong economic growth. We are honored to meet the high standards required of the program and motivated to continue achieving and meeting that bar.”

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ABOUT IDAHO FALLS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) advances our historical downtown as the regional center for commerce, culture and leisure activities for residents and visitors. Follow us on Facebook and visit www.downtownidahofalls.com.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America leads a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. For more than 40 years, Main Street America has provided a practical, adaptable, and impactful framework for community-driven, comprehensive revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Our network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $95.33 billion in new public and private investment, generated 161,036 net new businesses and 717,723 net new jobs, and rehabilitated more than 314,431 buildings. Main Street America is a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information, visit mainstreet.org.