Main Street. The heart of a town. Doesn’t matter what the actual name of the main thoroughfare is in a place, everyone knows what you mean when you talk about a small city’s Main Street.

So when Madelia on Wednesday suffered the loss of a third of its Main Street businesses — which were on aptly named Main Street — everyone knew instantly what a tragedy it is to the city of about 2,300.

The loss of eight businesses is a huge blow to Madelia economically. Not only can the owners not do business, but their employees are out of jobs and residents can’t get goods and services.

Recognizing the significant impact of the widespread damage, the region is rallying to help raise funds.

The governor visited Madelia on Friday and said he would help expedite as much as possible on the state level and even gave out his home phone number.

And folks in Madelia do need quick answers from local government officials as well. If business owners are going to stay, they need to get back to business as quickly as possible and know that the new building — with higher tax implications — will be affordable.

Another positive note is that legislative leaders support including public infrastructure needs in a bonding bill.

Yet, beyond the financial blow, beyond the loss of historical structures, lies the loss of so much more. A section of the town that is the artery of its very life is missing.

A small city Main Street is where you shop, get a haircut, see your dentist, grab a bite to eat, have a drink. But it’s so much more than that. It’s where you run into your neighbors, acquaintances and friends. It’s where you catch up on news and, of course, gossip. It’s where those who live out in the country come to escape isolation for a bit.

Main Street is where people connect with not only services, but with each other.

The uplifting element hidden in all of this devastation is that there was no loss of life in the enormous fire. And the promising part of this scenario is that the people who make Madelia the town that it is are still there. They can’t all gather at some of the familiar spots for a while, but they will work hard to rebuild their town.

The structures may be missing but the community is intact. And with help and support from the state and the greater region, Madelia can be as strong as ever.

 

— The Free Press of Mankato, Feb. 7