Awards totaling $15.7 million were announced Thursday for 45 communities across the state, including five in southwest Iowa.  The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support 47 community investment projects.  The federally funded grants were awarded for community facilities, flood prevention, infrastructure improvements, and single family owner-occupied housing rehabilitation. 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 develop needed infrastructure to prevent flooding.

Funding to southwest Iowa communities include $5000,00 being awarded to Bedford for water system improvements, $300,000 for Elk Horn sanitary sewer collection improvements, $300,000 to Massena for sanitary sewer collection improvements, $388,00 to Anita for rehabilitation of 10 owner-occupied single family units, $397,000 to Guthrie Center for rehabilitation of 10 owner-occupied single family units.

IEDA received 132 applications for these funds, totaling more than $41.9 million in funding requests.  The grants are awarded based on the financial need and potential impact of the project, benefit to low- and moderate-income persons and commitment of local resources to moving the project forward.

The CDBG 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.  Applications are solicited annually, usually during the fall.  For more information on CDBG or other community programs, phone 515.725.3081, email community@iowa.gov, or visit www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com.