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STORIES
CDBG Grant Brings New Playground Equipment to Ainsworth
This spring, the City of Ainsworth installed new playground equipment with help from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
ECICOG Welcomes New Environmental Specialist
Josh Ventling is joining the Environmental Services Department as an Environmental Specialist. Josh graduated from the University of Iowa...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
Don't Miss Out! Cedar Rapids to Host League of Cities' Annual Conference
The Iowa League of Cities will hold its annual conference and Exhibit on September 20-22 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
Help Us to Plan for Trails and Sidewalks in our Region
Do you want to see more sidewalks and trails for walking and biking in and around your community? ECICOG is working on a new Active...
May 19, 20231 min read
ECICOG Administering Johnson CountyHousing Rehabilitation Program
Johnson County recently contracted with ECICOG to administer a new Home Rehabilitation and Emergency Repair Program using funds...
May 19, 20231 min read
IEDA Downtown Forum to Be Held in Mount Vernon
The Iowa Downtown Resource Center, a program of Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), will offer four interactive downtown forums...
May 19, 20231 min read
Iowa Waste Exchange Finds Ways to Divert Usable Materials From Landfills
Iowa’s landfills already contain far too much waste that could have been reused, but thanks to the Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE), about 4...
May 19, 20231 min read
Middle Cedar Watershed Brochure Wins Content Award
ECICOG, along with Benson & Hepker Design of Iowa City, The University of Iowa, The City of Cedar Rapids, and Tru Art Color Graphics,...
May 19, 20231 min read
Let Your Voice Be Heard: Take the 380 Express Rider Survey
If you ride the 380 Express or wish it were available to you, ECICOG wants to hear from you! You can provide your opinions and tell us...
May 19, 20231 min read
Climate Action Plan to Make Funding Available for Pollution Reduction
ECICOG is applying to the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG) for funds to develop a climate action plan for the Cedar...
May 19, 20231 min read
ECICOG Welcomes Two New Staff Members
In April, ECICOG added two members to the Housing team to keep up with new housing grants and growing interest in the nuisance...
May 19, 20231 min read
$15 Million in Disaster Recovery Housing Grants Awarded
The Iowa Economic Development Administration (IEDA) recently awarded CDBG-Disaster Recovery funding that will create 129 new housing...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Anamosa to Start Second Phase of Downtown Revitalization
The City of Anamosa will receive a $650,000 CDBG-Downtown Revitalization award for the second phase of their storefront remodeling...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
ECIHTF Receives $177,360 Housing Rehabilitation Award
The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines’ Affordable Housing Program recently awarded a $177,360 grant submitted by the ECICOG...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Deadline Approaching for Intent to Qualify for Broadband Intervention Zone
The application for the Intent to Qualify (ITQ) for designation of a Broadband Intervention Zone through the Iowa Office of the Chief...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Additional Derecho Recovery Grants Now Available
This phase of the special CDBG funding for derecho recovery has three components: tree canopy and replanting (Linn and Benton counties),...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Downtown Mentors Available
As part of the implementation of Envision East Central Iowa, several seasoned economic development professionals in our region have...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Iowa Energy Office Seeks Input on New Grant Program for Energy Efficiency Projects
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is conducting a survey that will aid in the development of the Energy Efficiency and...
Mar 21, 20231 min read
Up to $250,000 Available in Loans to Organizations or Entities for Linn County Housing Initiatives
The Board of Directors of the Housing Fund for Linn County (HFfLC) is making up to $250,000 available in loans to for-profit or nonprofit...
Feb 21, 20231 min read
CDBG Derecho Recovery Applications Top $22 Million
On January 12, ECICOG’s Housing Department submitted 11 applications to the Iowa Economic Development Authority for more than $22 million...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Area Communities Receive CDBG Water and Sewer Funding
The cities of Coralville, Olin, and Onslow were recently awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Water/Sewer/Stormwater funds. The City of Coralville has been awarded $356,974 to replace undersized water mains and aging, deteriorated sanitary sewer lines along 4th Avenue Place. The project will support the installation of additional fire hydrants and will replace deteriorating sewer infrastructure to prevent leaks and groundwater infiltration. The City of Olin was
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First Time Homebuyer Programs Helping Local Families
The East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund recently received funding to offer up to $35,000 in down payment and/or closing costs assistance for low-to-moderate income (LMI) first time homebuyers, with the ability to use some of that assistance for minor repairs. This program is unique, offering a higher amount of assistance across a wider service area than any other program in the region. ECICOG also assisted the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County and the Housing Fund for Lin
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Summer Turbo Talks
Check out ECICOG's upcoming Turbo Talks. Turbo Talks are brief, free, informative sessions for communities in East Central Iowa. August 20th, 1:30: Derelict Building Grant Program. Register here. September 15th, 1:00: Faster Answers in Ely with AI. Register here. October 15th, 1:30: Regional Transportation Funding - Pre Application Workshop. Register here. Check out previous sessions here.
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