Newbo City Market

Community engagement: newbo city market has used placemaking as a method of economic development from the beginning with benefits that have extended far beyond enticing visitors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and corporations. The organization hosts over 200 arts, entertainment, wellness, and community events open to the public; these events promote the local culture, drive economic growth for both businesses inside the organization and in the area, and build the character and quality of our public place. To local economies recovering from a loss of conventional industry (such as the loss of industrial businesses in the district), placemaking is a method for capitalizing on existing strengths, rather than inventing new ones, for the purpose of developing a stronger economy. We have seen strong returns to the local economy from tourism, an intrinsically place-based industry. Placemaking is an environmentally friendly form of economic development. The walkable and bikeable streets and trails that are favored by the placemaking philosophy have made a positive impact on not only business success, but also the wellness culture of the community. With our open spaces as part of both the market's and district's identity, and therefore our development strategy, it has been important to both protect these spaces and improve them for greater utility and enjoyment. Placemaking encourages the recognition of local artists and musicians. It also places importance on preserving local landmarks and significant architecture.

Neighborhood revitalization: the organization reclaimed and revitalized a block that received major flood damage in the city-wide flood of 2008 and helps drive the redevelopment and revitalization of the czech village/new bohemia district. The space is becoming a major attraction for the city of cedar rapids and the surrounding area. In 2018, the market attracted over 500,000 people to this revitalized area and held over 200 community events. The market also helps build a "localized economy," both inside the market and throughout the district. Our localized economy is identified by several businesses in close proximity that all share the traits and values of entrepreneurship, arts and entertainment, small business, locally-sourced products, and locally-based talent with an eclectic business culture that values what is unique and "funky". "newbo" has become synonymous with "entrepreneurship" in cedar rapids.