There isn’t just one big dreamer in Corning, a town of 1,491 in Adams County, the smallest county in Iowa.
“There’s a whole group of them,” said Raelynne Risser, executive director of the Adams County Economic Development Corp. “It’s more than an individualized thing. It is a culture here. … I have never been part of a community that believes in itself so much. It’s really refreshing to see.”
The latest big dream that leaders in Corning are chasing is a major renovation to the 129-year-old Widener Building, a three-floor, 8,400-square-foot former mercantile business located in the heart of Corning’s Commercial Historic District. It will feature resources for entrepreneurs.
The building has sat vacant for 20 years, and in its lifespan has been a dentist office, pharmacy, lawyer’s office, historical headquarters, thrift shop, fabric shop and used to host the Knights of Columbus, Risser said.
The $3.4 million project has been spearheaded by the all-volunteer ACTION committee, a branch of the Adams County Economic Development Corp. The project will have residential, office and retail space. Contractors started construction in December of 2024 and it’s expected to be completed by late summer, said Betsy Akin, ACTION committee chairperson.
“We wanted to save this cornerstone building and we saw there were other needs in the community and our county of office space, retail space, because our Main Street district is getting full,” Akin said. “We also want to build entrepreneurs into this community and into our county.”
The Widener Building was previously owned by the city of Corning, which used grant money for improvements, such as new windows and building a new roof, Akin said.
The economic development corporation bought the building from the city of Corning in July 2024 for $55,000 and has served as the developer of the project, organizers said.
In a late February interview, the organizers said they were coming to the end of their fundraising, which relied on private investors, including residents and alumni of Corning and grant dollars. The ACTION committee received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Project Funding grant, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant, and an Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority Community Catalyst Building Remediation program grant.
Risser said organizers have also been in contact with the State Historic Preservation Office, which is part of the Iowa Economic Development and Finance Authority, to get its stamp of approval because the Widener Building is part of the Corning Commercial Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Among the historical elements of the building preserved are the original tin ceilings, every existing wall in the upper story and the outdoor architectural structural parts of the building. The design pays homage to the French Icarian settlers, who were the original founders of Adams County, Risser said.
This is the first historic rehabilitation project the economic development corporation has worked on as the developer, although the organization was heavily involved in the 2014 $3.5 million rehabilitation of the historic opera house, also in the district, Risser said.
In the Widener Building, Akin said the ACTION committee is working on an entrepreneurial program on the first floor and the basement.
“[We’re] giving them an opportunity to start in this building, and if they see it’s going to grow, they can move out into our Main Street district and anywhere else in our county or wherever else they desire,” Akin said.
There are three office spaces on the first floor and two 850-square-foot retail spaces in the basement, all with rentable options, Risser said.
This rendering shows the planned renovations to the Widener Building, a former mercantile business in Corning. Rendering provided by Adams County Economic Development Corp.
Organizers want new businesses to be in the retail section on the main floor of the Widener Building for at least a year, so they see the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, said Donna Hogan, president of the Adams County Economic Development Corp. For example, there is often a downturn in winter months “when someone doesn’t come in the door,” she said.
“After a year the entrepreneur may want to expand their business to a larger space such as the two retail spaces down below or to another building on Main Street,” Hogan said. “The entrepreneur may also decide this business isn’t what they thought and they aren’t committed to all the expenses of renting a whole building and the inventory to fill that large of a space. The idea is to grow retail and help entrepreneurs to find out if their dream is viable and be successful.”
Organizers said giving entrepreneurs the option to rent a small space downstairs as they are starting up will eventually be a catalyst for new businesses.
“Starting up the business is so costly, the thought was give them a safe place to pilot this business, with mentorship from other successful business owners,” Risser said.
Risser said Corning is a community that’s “perfect for an entrepreneur.”
“There’s so many entrepreneurs in this community,” she said. “There have been angel investors in the community. It fosters that spirit to live their dream. That’s something some communities don’t have. We’re fortunate we have open-minded individuals willing to make this happen. We’ve got so many leaders all ready and willing to step up and help … and assist and guide. It’s not always easy.”