Main Street Designated an Iowa Cultural and Entertainment District

A corridor running the length of downtown Mount Vernon and the Cornell College campus was designated an Iowa Cultural and Entertainment District in 2019. The District begins on the east at the First Street Community Center and runs approximately 18 blocks to the west edge of the Cornell campus. The District includes 11 performance spaces and 22 art and arts-related businesses.

As a result of the designation, the Mount Vernon Cultural and Entertainment District is included in promotional materials and marketing initiatives by the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Tourism Board.