Jim Thompson Cmsm

About Jim Thompson Cmsm

Jim Thompson currently serves as a Downtown Economic Development Specialist covering all areas of Development for downtowns & Main Street districts for the Iowa Economic Development Authority. He has served in all aspects at the local level including program director, board member and volunteer. Jim received certification as a Historic Real Estate Development Finance Professional (HREDFP) from the National Development Council. Jim earned his Certified Main Street Managers (CMSM) credentials through the Certification in Professional Main Street Downtown Management Institute at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He engages communities in market analysis including data analysis, business retention, recruitment, and implementation strategies. He has also led efforts in tax increment finance, urban revitalization, housing & real estate development, branding and one-on-one business technical assistance for Iowa’s communities. Jim serves on the Iowa Rural Development Council Executive Board and was named by the Governor to lead the Empower Rural Iowa Leadership Task-force. Jim is the grant administrator for the Community Catalyst Building Remediation grant program. He has over 25 years experience in community development, retail management as well as having served on a City Council for 10 years. Jim has also served as a consultant for the National Main Street Center, worked in several states and has presented multiple times at the National Main Streets Conference.

Experience

1. Downtown Economic Development Specialist

   Iowa Economic Development Authority

   Sep 2007 — Present · Des Moines, IA, US

   Jim assists communities in all areas of downtown retail and comercial economic development. He oversees all aspects of market analysis including data analysis, business retention, recruitment, and implementation strategies. He has also led efforts in branding and one-on-one business technical assistance for Iowa’s Main Street communities. Jim enjoys being part of the Main Street Iowa team. He has over 25 years experience in community development, retail management as well as having served on the City Council for 10 years. Jim has served as a consultant for the National Main Street Center and has presented multiple times at the National Main Streets Conference.

Education

• National Main Street Center

  Certified Main Street Manager

  2002 — 2003

• Iowa Western

  Accounting and Business/Management