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STORIES
Strategic Doing Facilitation Services Available for Projects that Support Envision East Central Iowa
Does your community or non-profit organization have a challenge or goal that requires cross-organization collaboration? Thanks to a grant from the Economic Development Administration, ECICOG has trained Strategic Doing facilitators who can help get your group started! Strategic Doing is a collaborative approach to strategy that emphasizes rapid action, flexible planning, and network-based problem solving. Unlike traditional strategic planning, which often relies on rigid, lon
Dec 10, 20251 min read
Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Begins
ECICOG was awarded $144,000 from the U.S Department of Transportation to develop the Eastern Iowa Tri-Region Safety Action Plan for ECICOG, Region 6 Resource Partners and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. Work is now beginning to hire a consultant to develop the plan that will improve roadway safety for all users. Communities and projects identified in the plan will automatically qualify for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) construction funding in future y
Dec 10, 20251 min read
Open Meeting Training Mandated for New Elected Officials
In July, Iowa lawmakers enacted significant updates to the state’s open meetings law through House File 706, with a strong emphasis on training and accountability. Newly elected or appointed public officials after July are now required to complete training on open meetings and open records laws, with the Iowa Public Information Board responsible for offering or approving training. Incumbent officials are exempt from the mandate but may still benefit from the training. The leg
Dec 10, 20251 min read
Three HOME Grant Awards Will Assist First Time Homebuyers in ECICOG Region
ECICOG recently partnered with three housing trust fund agencies to secure HOME grants, assisting up to 15 first-time homebuyers in our region. All three grants were awarded funds by the Iowa Finance Authority in August. Housing Fund for Linn County, East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund, and Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County each received awards of $206,250 to assist up to five income-eligible homebuyers with down payment assistance and minor repairs over the next two year
Dec 10, 20251 min read
Micro Loans Help Support Entrepreneurs Throughout Region
Since launching in 2016, ECICOG has provided over $238,000 in microloans to local businesses to help with growth and expansion. The micro...
Jul 25, 20251 min read
380Express Funding Extended Through 2029
The 380Express bus service between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City has seen record ridership recently, and with major road construction in the...
Jul 25, 20251 min read
State of Iowa Looks to Save Money through Joint Procurements
The State of Iowa's IT procurement group is working to understand how local governments and political subdivisions can possibly save time...
Jul 24, 20251 min read
Feedback Requested for New Regional Resilience Plan
ECICOG is coordinating the development of a regional resilience plan, and we are seeking input on strategies to build a pathway to a...
Jul 24, 20251 min read
Grow Your Skills with Strategic Doing Training
ECICOG is offering a second Strategic Doing Training opportunity September 9-10 at the Kirkwood Continuing Education Training Center....
Jul 24, 20251 min read
New Signage Adds Visibility to the Indian Creek Watershed
If you have been driving around Linn County lately, you may have noticed a series of new signs that have popped up identifying the Indian...
Jul 24, 20251 min read
Turbo Talk Sidewalk Assessments
Did you know that ECICOG has completed sidewalk condition assessments for rural communities in our six-county region? ECICOG...
Jul 24, 20251 min read
Tell Us About Your Water Quality Improvement Opportunities!
Is your community looking for grant funds to complete drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, or water quality improvement...
May 19, 20251 min read
ECICOG Launches Turbo Talks: 30 Minute Virtual Learning Opportunities
Recognizing that local government leaders are juggling a lot of priorities, ECICOG will be hosting an ongoing series of micro-learning...
May 19, 20251 min read
Third CDBG Grant Will Continue Transformation of Anamosa's Downtown
Congratulations to the City of Anamosa, which was recently awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Revitalization...
May 19, 20251 min read
Homes for Iowa Webinar to be held on May 21st
Join the Iowa Association of Councils of Governments (ICOG) for an engaging and informative virtual Lunch and Learn to discover the...
May 19, 20251 min read
Tracey Achenbach Receives Prometheus Award
ECICOG Housing Director Tracey Achenbach was honored with the 2025 Prometheus Award from the Iowa Association of Council of Governments...
May 19, 20251 min read
ECICOG Staff Updates and Retirement Party!
Housing Director Tracey Achenbach will retire from ECICOG on June 6th. Help us celebrate her outstanding career at a retirement open...
May 19, 20251 min read
Register Now for ECICOG's Local Government Recharge Day 2025 on May 8th
ECICOG will be hosting its annual Local Government Recharge Day on Thursday, May 8 from 9am - 3:30pm at Fireside Winery in Marengo....
Apr 22, 20251 min read
Existing Federal Grants are Still on Track (For Now)
ECICOG’s work has resumed a more normal cadence after the Trump administration issued an Executive Order in late January that temporarily...
Mar 31, 20251 min read
Wellman Awarded $500,000 CDBG Water Sewer Grant
The City of Wellman was recently awarded a $500,000 grant to replace water mains and install fire hydrants and water meters. Wellman is...
Mar 31, 20251 min read
Colonial Lanes Expanding with ECICOG Loan
Iowa City based Colonial Lanes will begin an expansion of their business thanks to a $260,000 loan from ECICOG. The longtime bowling...
Mar 31, 20251 min read
ECICOG Local Government Recharge Day Set for May 14th!
ECICOG’s annual Local Government Recharge Day will be held on May 14 from 8:30am-4pm at Fireside Winery in Marengo. Sessions include: Legislative Updates with the Iowa League of Cities, ISU’s First impressions Program, Think Before You Act: IT Security and Fraud, Community Building in an Era of Disengagement and Distrust, and Creating Your Own Calm with Transformational Coach Kate Moreland and more! The $75 registration fee includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Don’t mi
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Welcome and Farewell: ECICOG Leadership Changes
ECICOG welcomed the following new board members in January: Doug Boddicker; City of Newhall Aaron Sandersfeld; City of Williamsburg Steve Dodson; City of Hiawatha Nicholas Gluba; City of Lone Tree Melanie Bimson; Washington Economic Development Group Megan Alter; City of Iowa City ECICOG would like to thank the following board members whose appointments ended in 2025: Mary Audia; Washington Economic Development Bruce Visser; City of Atkins Chris Hoffman; City of North Liberty
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ECICOG Receives $3.3 Million from HUD to Address Lead Hazard Mitigation and Other Safety Concerns in Homes
In December, ECICOG received notice from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development that a Lead Hazard Reduction Grant in the amount of $2,964,980 was awarded to ECICOG address lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing throughout our region. A grant contract was executed in February. ECICOG is grateful to its partners, including the Housing Fund for Linn County, Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County, East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund, the City of Cedar Rapids, an
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