(Des Moines) Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced $40,000 in grants through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative to support growth and revitalization efforts in four rural communities across the state.
Among the recipients is the city of Stanton in Montgomery County, which will receive a $10,000 grant through the Rural Building Ownership and Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program.
The funding will support the Stanton Community Foundation as it develops a wayfinding strategy designed to bring more people into the community. Plans include improved signage and digital marketing efforts aimed at drawing travelers off nearby highways and into Stanton’s downtown.
Community leaders hope the strategy will help convert regional and highway traffic into increased customer activity and local spending. Stanton is located less than a mile from U.S. Highway 34 and within about an hour’s drive of Omaha and Council Bluffs, positioning it as a convenient stop for travelers.
The BOOST program connects local leaders with expert teams who provide customized recommendations for growth, with grant funding helping communities put those plans into action.
Other communities receiving $10,000 BOOST grants include Clarion, Clear Lake and Redfield.
