September 8, 2017 (Des Moines, IA) – Awards totaling $1.3 million were announced today for four communities across the state. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support community water and sewer infrastructure projects.
IEDA received seven applications totaling $2.3 million in funding requests. The grants are awarded based on benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project.
“Assisting communities to invest in infrastructure projects is an important step in helping them become development-ready,” said Debi Durham, director of the IEDA. “These federal funds will have a significant impact on many communities in our state.”
CDBG funds enable communities to make needed improvements to water and sewer systems, improve housing conditions for low-income homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals, and make transformative improvements to their downtowns.
The Community Development Block Grant program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state.
Starting in January 2017, IEDA began soliciting applications for the Water and Sewer Fund on a quarterly basis. Moving from an annual application process to a quarterly application process better aligns with the State Revolving Fund review and approval process, which provides matching fund for the majority of CDBG water and sewer infrastructure projects.
For more information on CDBG or other community programs, phone 515.348.6215, email cdbg@iowaeda.com or visit iowaeconomicdevelopment.com. Media inquiries should be directed to Tina Hoffman at communications@iowaeda.com or 515.348.6245.
###
