Main Street Ottumwa

09/24/2026

A new business is opening this week in the downtown district. Check it out, like their page and support local businesses.

Congrats! 🎉

09/22/2026

All Ottumwa Small Businesses four days remain to take the Main Street America survey. Let's represent! Take the survey today.

Small Business Owners! We want to hear from you!

If you own a Main Street business, please complete our Fall Small Business Survey to share your perspective. Your responses will help us create resources and advocacy to support small businesses across the country. The survey is open until September 25: https://bit.ly/4ywx0nf

09/22/2026

Turn that idea into a viable business right here in Ottumwa! 💡

🚀If you’re dreaming of starting a business or looking to grow your existing venture, check out Venture School at in partnership with .at.Iowa.

Over 7 weeks, you'll learn directly from successful founders, test your concepts with real customer feedback, and follow the National Science Foundation I-Corps curriculum.
🗓️ Thursdays: Oct. 8 – Nov. 19
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit iowajpec.org/venture-school to get registered. Have questions? Contact Kelly Prickett at [email protected] or 641-683-5188.

09/21/2026

Looking for your next lunch spot this week? Join the Main Street Ottumwa Lunch Club this Thursday at noon! 🍜✨

We’re heading to Karen's Thai Food for delicious food, great conversation, and a fun break in the workday. Whether you come every month or this is your first time joining us, everyone is welcome!

09/20/2026

It’s the 20th of the month—which means it’s time for our $20 on the 20th campaign! 🥳✨

For 20 years, Main Street Ottumwa has been working to revitalize, preserve, and energize our historic downtown district. From community events to small business support and streetscape improvements, we are proud of how far we’ve come—and we're just getting started!

Will you give $20 today to help us keep the momentum going for another 20 years?

Every single dollar goes right back into making Downtown Ottumwa a vibrant place to shop, dine, work, and play. Whether it's $20, $5, or $200, any amount helps us sustain our mission and build for the future!

👉 Donate today: https://www.mainstreetottumwa.com/donate

Thank you for loving downtown as much as we do! ❤️

09/15/2026

Main Street America’s Fall Small Business Survey is Live Earlier this year, more than 1,500 small business owners nationwide shared the challenges they were facing.

A follow-up survey is now gathering insights on how conditions are changing and the strategies businesses are using to adapt, including financing, customer trends, and AI applications.

Responses help track changing business conditions and inform the resources, programs, and advocacy provided to support local businesses. Available in English and Spanish.

Open through September 25. Access the survey here. Please encourage other small businesses in your community to participate.

This survey from Main Street America is intended for owners of small businesses who currently benefit or could potentially benefit from Main Street programming.

09/12/2026

We were fortunate to have OHS Career Campus students join us this morning for a downtown cleanup to honor the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

09/11/2026

Reminder! For the first time, our Business Brew networking mixer is leaving downtown next Thursday, September 17th! Join us at the MCG - Mahaska Communication Group office on Church Street as our event sponsors step up to become the event hosts!

Business Brew is for anyone connected to Ottumwa's business community—vendors, lenders, property owners, policymakers, and business owners are all welcome to gather, build connections, and share strategies for growth.

Plus, as a bonus, our hosts will be serving up delicious BBQ brisket and pork sliders from Bubba-Q's! Mark your calendars and we'll see you next Thursday!

09/08/2026

We are excited about the possibilities for this building, and can't wait to see it being used once again.

Ottumwa city leaders sold a historic building for $1 to a developer planning to create commercial space and apartments as part of a downtown revitalization effort. FULL STORY⬇️