DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority today (Thursday), announced more than $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to rural communities across the state through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. The Governor says “The Empower Rural Iowa Initiative has played a key role in transforming our rural communities by expanding broadband access and affordable housing options, which are essential to the growth and retention of our state. These programs help turn innovative ideas into reality for small communities across Iowa, paving the way for opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.”

The grants cover 38 projects across the state. For example:

• The City of Treynor, and Adair/Guthrie Counties, have both received a $1,000 grant for a Rural Leadership Bootcamp.
• The City of Red Oak received $10,000 from a Rural Housing Assessment grant
• The City of Manning has received a $20,000 Rural Innovation Grant to: leverage the outcomes from the Rural Housing Assessment Grant process with ISU Extension & Outreach. The grant funds will be used for development of an engineering plat and HOA documents for a pocket neighborhood development by the City, to address housing needs. (Total project cost, $94,000)
• The City of Wiota has received a $20,000 Rural Innovation Grant to leverage local assets to draw visitors, and retain residents, inviting them to enjoy their time downtown. Through the addition of a community park, in partnership with the Wiota Boosters, they will be adding an additional amenity to attract visitors to the annual flea market, Wiota Steakhouse, and downtown community events. Funding from the Grant will support the removal of dilapidated playground equipment, and the addition of new and ADA (handicapped) compliant features. (Total project cost, $30,034)
• And, Midwest Partnership Economic Development/City of Stuart is receiving a $1,500 grant in partnership with the school arts dept., to display art on a rotating basis in stores, offices, restaurants and gathering spaces throughout the community. The grant funds will support the launch of the program, with the goal of improving aesthetics in the community, and mental health of residents, through exposure to art. (Total project cost, $60,000).
• Sac Development Corp will put Rural Innovation funding toward a feasibility study for a soon-to-be-vacated school building and adjacent green space. Communities across the state struggle with vacant school buildings, which can create an eyesore and financial strain on cities. Sac City is taking steps to ensure the building has a transformative use.   In its inaugural year, the Rural Return grant is funding five innovative recruitment programs across the state, including a business incentive strategy in Jefferson. The program through Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community will provide a start-up incentive fund for new businesses and complimentary use of shared workspace for remote workers.

The Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative developed the following grant programs for rural communities:

• The Rural Innovation Grant program supports creative, nontraditional ideas to overcome rural community development challenges, such as workforce development and housing shortages.
• The Rural Housing Assessment Grant program supports efforts to expand access to quality housing tailored to communities. The program leverages data from the Iowa Finance Authority’s Profile of Iowa tool and provides support through a partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
• The new Rural Return and Rural Child Care Market Study grant programs: The Rural Return Grant program supports creative programming that attracts new residents to move and/or work in rural communities. The Rural Child Care Market Study Grant program supports the use of data and analysis by rural communities, in partnership with First Children’s Finance, to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area.

For more information on the Center for Rural Revitalization programs, visit https://www.iowaeda.com/empower-rural-iowa/ or contact Liesl Seabert at Rural@iowaeda.com. A full list of the of the 2022 Rural Grant recipients is available here.