(Des Moines) Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced $490,000 in Empower Rural Iowa grants supporting 16 communities across the state.
The funding will help expand housing, strengthen child care and encourage business and community growth.
Six communities each received $50,000 to increase and improve housing, including projects in Fairfield, Keosauqua, Red Oak, Kalona, Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity, and Winneshiek County Development and Tourism.
Grants of $20,000 were awarded to the cities of Forest City, Imogene, Lake Mills, Manchester and West Burlington, as well as the Clarion Development Alliance. These communities will partner with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to assess housing needs and guide local development strategies.
Grants of $20,000 were awarded to Little Smiles & Company, Adair; the city of Lake Park; and Mahaska Health, Oskaloosa. Working with the national nonprofit First Children’s Finance, recipients will analyze local data and identify solutions to meet specific child care needs.
Additionally, the city of Manning received a $10,000 grant through the Rural Building Ownership and Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program, which helps community and business leaders plan for next-step growth. Manning will work with a BOOST team of experts to explore new uses for a former nursing home — the community’s only vacant downtown building — and implement recommendations.
Administered by IEDA’s Center for Rural Revitalization, Empower Rural Iowa grants are funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature for the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa initiative. Applicants are required to provide matching funds and are evaluated on economic need, partnerships, project readiness and alignment with strategic goals. Programs support Iowa communities with fewer than 20,000 residents that are not adjacent to cities of 40,000 or more.
To learn more about Empower Rural Iowa programs, eligibility requirements or upcoming grant opportunities, visit the Center for Rural Revitalization webpage
