CASEY, Iowa – For the town of Casey, Iowa, it turns out you may have to burn something down to make it new again.

In 2014, the town’s city clerk set fire to the town’s community building, burning it down in an attempt to destroy records showing her defrauding the city of Casey.

That act lit a different fire in some local business owners.

Colleen Conrad, owner of Conrad Ventures, says shortly after the fire, she looked at Casey’s main street with a friend, remarking that the brick street and historic buildings would make for a great economic development opportunity.

That began an effort to renovate several downtown Casey buildings. Now, downtown has several restaurants, including one with a golf simulator. You’ll also find an ice cream shop, modern hair salons, a spa, and boutiques.

It took a group effort of “Caseyians” to make the transformation possible. A group of about a dozen business owners has committed to the revitalization work and played a big part in keeping Casey alive. Others have helped the group get grants to fund the renovations.

The transformation of Casey is so outstanding that it leaves some who return to the town shocked. Local business owners also say that people who stop from the interstate are usually pleasantly surprised.

The group of entrepreneurs says that a combination of talent, teamwork, energy, excitement, and hard work has been key to their success.

As for the future of Casey, a group of investors is hoping to renovate another historic building –the former Mary’s Cafe.

They also say they’d like to see a gas station make its way to town, a frequent disappointment for those who stop off the interstate.

But if the current trajectory of Casey is any indication, the spark of creativity, hard work, and entrepreneurship looks to keep burning for years to come.