September 6, 2022
The Board of Directors of Dubuque Main Street (DMS) is pleased to announce Danielle Jacobs started September 6, 2022, as the organization’s new executive director. Jacobs had served as the executive director for Freeport Downtown Development Foundation in Illinois.
During her six-year tenure there, she launched the Pretzel City Brewfest, facilitated the city’s downtown facade grant program, created the 610 Music Festival, and partnered with businesses and building owners on downtown Freeport revitalization. In 2016, she spoke about downtown Freeport’s successes at the National Main Street conference in Pittsburg, Penn. Jacobs recently moved to Dubuque with her husband and youngest son.
“The Board of Directors for Dubuque Main Street are excited to have Danielle join our organization,” said Jeff Vaassen, president of the board. “She arrives with experience in the Main Street economic development sector, along with a passion and love for Dubuque. We have an opportunity to help grow downtown Dubuque, create a culture that rivals those of other great cities in the region, and assist small and large businesses thrive in and around our great downtown. Danielle is enthused for the challenge and I invite everyone to join her in that excitement.”
Jacobs most recently managed at the Wagner House, a historically-preserved, adaptive-reuse industrial building in downtown Freeport. She also served as the interim director of the Stephenson County CVB. Jacobs arrives with an extensive background in community development, sales, marketing, event planning, and music promotion. She will continue to focus on the mission of Dubuque Main Street to revitalize downtown through Main Street America’s comprehensive focus on four broad areas: economic vitality, organization, promotion, and design.
“To say I am exhilarated to step into the role of Dubuque Main Street’s executive director is an understatement,” Jacobs said. “I’ve long been a fan and cheerleader for Dubuque, from afar, and have enjoyed the community’s many leadership development and tourism offerings. It is an honor to lead the organization into a new era, serve our downtown stakeholders, the whole community, and promote our historic downtown district as a destination to explore, dream, and thrive.”
Jacobs assumed the position vacated in May 2022 by Dan LoBianco after his 23 years in the role.
Dubuque Main Street was established in 1985 and is the longest standing urban Main Street program in the United States. The not-for-profit is accredited by Main Street Iowa, a branch of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and is a member of Main Street America, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.