June 3, 2021 (DES MOINES) – Awards totaling $2.2 million were announced today for water and sewer infrastructure projects in six communities across the state. Among the award recipients was the City of Guthrie Center, which received  $500-thousand dollars for a water main installation.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) made the awards through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides support for community improvements. IEDA received 16 applications totaling $5.8 million in funding requests. 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.

“Programs such as CDBG, whether administered by IEDA or the Iowa Finance Authority, serve our communities by providing much-needed resources for infrastructure development,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “The projects awarded today have the capacity to enhance the quality of life in their respective communities.”

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 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. For more information on CDBG or other community programs, visit iowaeda.com or contact cdbg@iowaeda.com.