On October 6, 2021, awards totaling $5.2 million were announced for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects across the state of Iowa.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) made the awards through the CDBG program, which provides support for community renewal and revitalization efforts.
Downtown revitalization project awards were awarded to six Iowa communities to invest in the improvement of 62 downtown building facades.
The Upper Story Conversion awards will help five communities with the creation of an additional 21 upper story housing units.
Grants are awarded based upon the benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project.
CDBG funds enable communities to make needed improvements to infrastructure, improve housing conditions for low-income homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals, and make transformative downtown improvements.
The CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state.
Photo of downtown Fairfield, Iowa courtesy of the Fairfield Economic Development Association.