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ECICOG is Hiring a Communications Specialist! This position markets ECICOG services and advances the ECICOG brand through print and digital media. The Communications Specialist also supports ECICOG’s public engagement efforts and planning activities. The position requires:
Request for Proposals: Electronics Management Services ECICOG has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for electronics management services for the following six (6) solid waste facilities:
Watch the VanPool Webinar from March 16 ECICOG hosted a webinar on Wednesday March 16 about the CorridorRides VanPool program. Vehicles are provided through Commute with Enterprise, and commuters can ride together a reduced rate. With attracting and retaining workforce a common regional challenge, the VanPool program can help employers appeal to a wider workforce and ensure employees have reliable transportation to work. Watch the webinar here for details about an opportunity for new groups to try two months of vanpooling for free! Contact Brock Grenis at brock.grenis@ecicog.org with questions about the webinar or VanPool program. Future Summit is a Success! The Envision East Central Iowa planning process is nearly complete! The Future Summit, the final public input event, was held on March 1. Thank you to the nearly 100 regional stakeholders who attended and contributed to the region’s economic development strategy. They reviewed big picture data, regional demographics, and survey results, which led to a presentation of seven strategic pillars and associated action steps. Attendees performed an exercise to prioritize and take accountability for pillars and action steps. Over the next few weeks, we will be incorporating that data into the final plan, after which we will start to mobilize action teams! You can find the presentation from the Future Summit, as well as keep updated with Envision East Central, at talkto.ecicog.org/eeci. Contact Adam Bentley at adam.bentley@ecicog.org with questions or comments. $56 Million in CDBG Funds Allocated for Derecho Disaster Recovery The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is receiving $56 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Derecho Disaster Funds from the federal government. Because Linn County was determined to be the most impacted by the derecho, 80% of the funds are dedicated to its communities. Projects in Benton County are also possible to qualify, although for a smaller portion. As of this writing, ECICOG and the IEDA are scheduling meetings with communities in Linn County to gather input for the state’s action plan. Once the action plan is approved, likely in August or September, grant opportunities using the funds will be announced. ECICOG anticipates that a significant portion of the funding will be dedicated to housing projects. Contact Housing & Community Development Director Tracey Achenbach at tracey.achenbach@ecicog.org for more information. Thank you ECICOG Board! ECICOG is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from each county of our region. Comprised of elected officials and other stakeholders, the board keeps us true to our mission of serving our communities and bettering our region. We are grateful for the contributions of the following Board members who stepped down in 2021:
We would like to welcome the following new board members:
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0% Interest Rate for Business Loans Ends Soon - Apply Now! Are you starting a new business? Was your business negatively impacted by COVID-19? Are you looking to expand? The ECICOG’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is intended to support these exact situations. And for a limited time, ECICOG’s RLF loans have a 0% interest rate for the first two years! Business owners in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington Counties should apply soon, before this opportunity runs out. Visit ecicogrlf.org or contact Robyn Jacobson at robyn.jacobson@ecicog.org to learn how to apply! First Annual ARPA Report Due April 30 Cities that were allocated less than $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are required to submit their first annual Project and Expenditure Report online to the Department of Treasury by April 30, 2022. Reporting will include details on projects, obligations and expenditures, project status as well as information on any subawards, grants or transfers. City staff should be prepared to provide their signed award, signed assurance of compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and a copy of the budget documents submitted to the State as part of the request for funding. Visit the Department of the Treasury’s Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities page for additional information. ECICOG staff can complete ARPA reports for communities as a fee-based service. Contact Community Development Specialist Tom Gruis at tom.gruis@ecicog.org for more information or with ARPA questions. Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Guide The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed into law on November 15, 2021. It provides a nationwide investment of nearly $1 trillion in transportation, water, broadband, and power infrastructure as well as resilience investments. BIL also provides for continuation of the FAST Act, which increases funding allocations to states for core transportation programs by about 30%. These increases will include the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), meaning more funds will be allocated for local projects through the Regional Planning Affiliation. BIL also provides for new transportation programs, including:
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Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 and other nondiscrimination authorities, it is the policy of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) that discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or income status shall not occur in connection with any of its programs or activities. For more information on Title VI, or to file a complaint please see the Title VI section here.
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