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STORIES
ECICOG Office Expansion Begins October 1st
Because of the growing number of staff at ECICOG, our office space will soon be completely remodeled and expanded. ECICOG has recently...
Sep 21, 20231 min read
Welcome New ECICOG Staff
Meagan Prestegard recently began as an Environmental Specialist and will work on a variety of tasks in the Environmental Services...
Sep 21, 20231 min read
$2 Million Awarded for Climate Action Planning
ECICOG was officially awarded $2 million from the EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG). The four-year grant award will...
Sep 21, 20231 min read
$3.3 Million Awarded for Trees and Generators as Part of Derecho Recovery
All of ECICOG’s CDBG-Disaster Recovery (DR) grant applications for trees and generators were awarded as part of the special funds...
Sep 21, 20231 min read
Cedar Rapids and Marion to LaunchNew Housing Rehabilitation Programs
ECICOG’s housing department is preparing to roll out two owner-occupied rehabilitation programs in the metro area of Linn County: The...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
Coalition Establishes Middle Iowa Watershed Authority
In June, stakeholders from the middle section of the Iowa River Watershed formed the Middle Iowa Watershed Management Authority (MIWMA),...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
380Express Soon Will Sport a New Look
The 380Express, a popular bus service between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, is getting a new wardrobe. The “wraps” that cover the exterior...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
Olin Digs in to Build Community Garden With 5-2-1-0 Grant
The town of Olin has a brand-new community garden, thanks to the collaboration of individuals and several organizations who convened in...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
Hometown Pride Project Aims to Save Shellsburg Icon
The Shellsburg Hometown Pride Committee recently identified the restoration of the iconic Gold Medal Flour Mural as a top priority and...
Jul 28, 20231 min read
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


PATCH Still Repairing Derecho-Damaged Housing and Winning Awards
As East Central Iowans were finding new ways to cooperate in devastated neighborhoods after the 2020 derecho storm, they did the same at...
Jul 26, 20233 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



ECICOG Welcomes Ellen Habel as New Executive Director
Dear Friends and Partners, I am honored to step into the role of Executive Director at ECICOG. While I bring 35 years of local government experience to this position, my connection to this organization actually began as a planning intern while I was a senior in college. Returning now to lead such a vital and talented team truly feels like coming home. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of serving our local communities through roles with the City of Coralville, Linn
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New Route and Changes Coming to 380Express
Starting June 1, riders will see several updates to the 380Express bus service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. The current route will be renamed the “Corridor Loop” and will continue serving the same stops riders use today. To improve on-time performance, minor schedule adjustments will be made during early morning and afternoon service, along with updates to several lower-ridership trips. There will also be a fare adjustment beginning June 1. The one-way fare will increa
maryrump5


Grow Solar East Central Iowa Is Now Open
Homeowners, businesses, and farmers in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties can pool their buying power to secure significant discounts that make installing solar more affordable. Attend an in-person or virtual education session to learn about the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy and how to participate in the group buy program. The solar group buy program is offered through the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in partnership with
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