Roquette makes large gift to Main Street Keokuk

KEOKUK - Main Street Keokuk, Inc. has accepted a sizable donation from Roquette that includes seven downtown buildings and $400,000. The gift will allow the downtown revitalization non-profit to move ahead in redeveloping the buildings, located in the 1100 block of Main Street, for commercial and residential use.

“This is a significant investment in downtown Keokuk,” said Amy Hobb, Main Street board president. “We’re grateful Roquette recognizes the value in these historic properties and trusts our organization to move this project forward.”

“We saw how Main Street Keokuk, Inc., was dedicated to the development and ongoing support of downtown,” said Roquette Plant Manager Jennie Rose. “We decided to make this donation because Main Street Keokuk is so well suited to develop the property for the betterment of the Keokuk community.”

Main Street Keokuk will utilize the funds provided by Roquette to stabilize the structures, abate hazardous materials such as lead and asbestos, and incentivize a developer who can see the project through to completion.

“We want these properties to be completely rehabilitated, fully occupied, generating income for business and property owners and the city,” said Main Street board secretary, Josh Kirchner. “There’s a process to get there that will take some time, but Roquette’s generous donation allows us to kickstart the effort.” 

“One of our company’s values is well-being, and we try to live that value by taking care of the resources, territories, people, and communities where we operate,” Rose said. “As the largest employer in this community, this donation is part of our overall effort as a good neighbor to help take care of our community’s resources and beautify our city, making it a more attractive place for the mutual benefit of the company and the city itself.”

Established in 1986, Main Street Keokuk, Inc. is an accredited not-for-profit economic development organization dedicated to the ongoing revitalization and preservation of Keokuk’s downtown commercial district. More information can be found at www.mainstreetkeokuk.com.

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients, a pioneer of plant proteins and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the company has operated the plant in Keokuk for more than 40 years. Discover more about Roquette at this link.