Where we excel:
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How we can help you:
Grant Writing & Administration
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ECICOG has launched “Envision East Central Iowa,” an update to our region’s six-county economic development strategies. Visit talkto.ecicog.org/eeci to learn more!
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Talk to ECICOG is an online engagement platform to allow our community members to learn about projects, connect with staff, and stay informed. Check out the wide variety of tools available to us at talkto.ecicog.org!
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AnnouncementsARPA Roundtable for Small Cities
ECICOG hosted a virtual ARPA roundtable for small cities on Friday, September 24. ECICOG staff walked through ARPA potential uses, timelines, requirements, and discussed some specific use cases. View the recording here, and download the presentation here! ECICOG staff are also available to work individually with communities unsure of how proceed with their ARPA funding or reporting. Contact Community Development and Housing Director Tracey Achenbach at tracey.achenbach@ecicog.org with questions. Update 10/7/21: The US Department of Treasury just announced that the first reports for ARPA funds for non-entitlement cities will not be due until April 30,2022. The previous deadline was October 31, 2021, which is reflected in the presentation. Envision East Central Iowa Focus Groups to Begin This Month
Thank you to the 120 regional stakeholders who came together at the Envision East Central Iowa Community (EECI) Think Tank workshop on September 29 to discuss our region’s future! Participants developed four plausible future scenarios, identified an expected future and a preferred future scenario, and began to discuss strategies to move the region toward the preferred future. It's not too late to join in the discussion! Several county and industry-specific focus groups will take place over the coming weeks. Visit talkto.ecicog.org/eeci for materials from the Community Think Tank and the schedule of upcoming events. Contact Adam Bentley at adam.bentley@ecicog.org with questions. PATCH Program Receives Awards
and $1 Million Donation On August 10, the anniversary of the derecho, the City of Cedar Rapids announced a $1 million donation to the PATCH Program (Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners). PATCH assists homeowners with home repairs following the record-breaking wind storm. Later in August, PATCH was recognized with a 2021 Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). On September 8, PATCH also received the 2021 HousingIowa Innovation Award. ECICOG, the Housing Fund for Linn County, Matthew 25, Neighborhood Finance Corp, Waypoint Services, Linn County, and the many other PATCH partners are grateful for the increased awareness the donation and awards have brought to this important disaster response initiative. To date, PATCH has helped over 250 homeowners and administered over $750,000 in funds. For more information about the PATCH program, visit our website or contact Housing Recovery Specialist Nicole Wise at nicole.wise@ecicog.org. State of Iowa Dedicates $100 Million to Housing
Governor Reynolds announced last week that the State is using $100 million of its ARPA funding to create or preserve housing in Iowa. A large amount will go toward already-received Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Workforce Housing Text Credit applications. $20 million will support projects that support the creation of new housing units, helping revitalize downtowns, and $4 million will help establish owner-occupied home preservation programs. The downtown housing and home preservation programs are only available to communities of 30,000 or less, and a 25% local match is required. Quick action is necessary. Downtown housing applications are due in November, and owner-occupied home preservation applications are due November 19. If your community is interested in applying, contact Community Development and Housing Director Tracey Achenbach at tracey.achenbach@ecicog.org. Transportation Funding Available
ECICOG is announcing the opportunity for local governments to apply for regional Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds. Eligible projects will occur in federal fiscal years 2023-2026. Find application instructions, the pre-application form, and full applications on our Transportation Funding page. Contact Transportation Director Mary Rump at mary.rump@ecicog.org with questions. Resiliency Toolkit for Small Business
Available to Share ECICOG, in partnership with the Iowa Council of Governments (ICOG) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA), is excited to provide the 2021 Resiliency Toolkit for Small Businesses. The toolkit was designed to assist small businesses with planning and preparing for unforeseen emergencies. It helps address resiliency in the areas of business management, marketing, and finance. Also included are resources like case studies and worksheets to aid small businesses in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of local, state, and national emergencies. Help us to get the word out by including the resource link on your city or economic development website. Contact Economic Development Specialist Adam Bentley at adam.bentley@ecicog.org for addition information. Calling All Residential Contractors
ECICOG is continuously seeking out residential contractors to support our housing work! Our needs will vary based on current projects, but will usually include replacement windows, roofing, doors, and siding. Contact Housing Specialist Mark Culver at mark.culver@ecicog.org or 319-289-0061 for more details. Vertical Divider
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EventsCommunity Catalyst Building Remediation Program Workshops
October 5-7, 13-14 The IEDA’s Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program assists communities with the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. The IEDA is hosting five workshops to discuss the program, deadlines, and application process. Visit the IEDA website for workshop dates and locations. 2021 Leadership Exchange & Bootcamp
October 26-27 The IEDA recognizes that if Iowa wants rural communities to survive and thrive, it will take strong local leadership. The IEDA Rural Leadership Grant Program targets rural communities who want to start a local leadership program and work to engage participants in community leadership roles. The program also offers a two-day bootcamp in Newton. For additional details about the bootcamp, contact rural@iowaeda.com. Funding OpportunitiesBrownfield Assessment Grant
Due October 1 Assessment Grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site-specific cleanup plans, and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. The performance period for these grants is three years. Learn more at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s website. With additional questions, contact Environmental Services Director Jennifer Fencl at jennifer.fencl@ecicog.org. CDBG Water & Sewer
Due October 1 The goal of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is to provide economic opportunities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income. The annual Water & Sewer program assists cities and counties with projects such as improvements to sanitary sewer systems and water systems, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects, and rural water connections. Visit the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) website for more details on fund amounts and qualifications, or contact Environmental Services Director Jennifer Fencl at jennifer.fencl@ecicog.org. Federal Recreational Trails Program
Due October 1 The federal trail programs provide funds for recreational trails and trail-related projects. The funding can be used for the acquisition of property, new trail construction, or maintenance and improvement of existing trails. Visit the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website for more details or contact Transportation Director Mary Rump at mary.rump@ecicog.org with questions. Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Conservation Education Program
Due November 1 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) aims to inspire people to connect with their natural resources. The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Conservation Education Program is the funding mechanism for the IDNR to support educational programs. Visit the REAP website for more information or contact Environmental Services Director Jennifer Fencl at jennifer.fencl@ecicog.org. |
2020 Annual Report
While 2020 dealt some unexpected challenges in the form of a pandemic and unprecedented windstorm, the ECICOG team remained steadfast in our commitment to serving our region and local communities.
Our 2020 annual report highlights some of ECICOG's work during the last year. Click here to download it!
While 2020 dealt some unexpected challenges in the form of a pandemic and unprecedented windstorm, the ECICOG team remained steadfast in our commitment to serving our region and local communities.
Our 2020 annual report highlights some of ECICOG's work during the last year. Click here to download it!
Regional Vision Scorecard
Check out how our region compares to similar communities across the country! View the scorecard here.
Check out how our region compares to similar communities across the country! View the scorecard here.
