Kris Patrick, who has been the executive director of Main Street Fort Dodge since late 2017, is resigning to return to her home in Chariton.

Her last day on the job will be May 27.

She lived in Chariton before coming to Fort Dodge in December 2017 to lead the Main Street program that was reactivated that year after an absence of several years. Her husband still lives in Chariton. There, she will work for the District Court Clerk.

”It’s a hard decision to have to make,” she said. “I’m so sorry to leave. I have made so many friends here.”

She said that she’s proud that downtown Fort Dodge has become a neighborhood in which people and businesses support each other. She said there has been $20.8 million worth of private investment in the downtown since 2018.

Some of that investment was spurred by a $500,000 state grant that resulted in the facades of 11 buildings being renovated. Another $500,000 grant will lead to another six facades being upgraded this fall. And another grant will result in six apartments at 1109 Central Ave. being renovated.

But Patrick said these successes are not her doing. She said they are the result of partnerships between the city government and private businesses working together for the betterment of downtown.

”It hasn’t been me,” she said.

The Main Street Fort Dodge board is meeting with the Main Street Iowa staff to write a job description for Patrick’s successor. She said she would be happy to help the board in its search for a new executive director.