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STORIES
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
ECICOG Receives NADO Impact Award for Watershed Innovation
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Iowa a $97 million grant through the National Disaster...
Mar 13, 20232 min read
Iowa City “Thinks Big” in New 5-Year Strategic Plan
Last year, the City of Iowa City’s leaders realized that rapidly changing economic and social conditions demanded a more rigorous...
Feb 28, 20233 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
Hometown Pride Program Helps Communities Build on Their Unique Strengths
Five communities recently became the first in our Region to take on a new program of self-assessment and planning called Hometown Pride,...
Feb 16, 20233 min read
Scoring Success on the Course
Stephen Kahler had all the experience needed to make a success of the Amana Colonies Golf Club when it came on the market. He had golf in...
Feb 7, 20234 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
Washington Awarded $400K Home Rehabilitation Grant
The City of Washington will receive a $400,000 share of a $4 million grant from the Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program made...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Surface Transportation Block Grant Application Available Now
The Region 10 Regional Planning Affiliation (RPA 10), which is staffed by ECICOG, recently announced the opportunity for local...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Walker Completes Goal Setting and Capital Improvement Plan
On January 4, the City of Walker completed a goal setting and capital improvement plan with help from ECICOG. The project began in...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Housing Trust Funds Receive Record Awards
In December, the Iowa Finance Authority awarded a record $11 million to the state’s 26 Local Housing Trust Funds, two of which are...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Check Out Our 2022 Annual Report
The ECICOG 2022 Annual Report is printed and available online. This year’s report focuses on the projects and grants administered by each...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
Welcome New ECICOG Fellow Justice Inkoom!
In January, Justice Inkoom started in the position of ECICOG Planning Fellow. Justice has a doctorate from the University of Bonn...
Jan 26, 20231 min read
A Fresh Look for Main Street
(Google Street View images) Four years ago, the City of Anamosa was looking for ways to leverage its history and architectural assets by...
Nov 28, 20223 min read
ECICOG Receives NADO Impact Award for Watershed Work
ECICOG was recognized by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for its work with the Iowa Watershed Approach over...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
Washington County Minibus Facility Renovation Complete
Washington County Minibus facility hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house in October to celebrate an extensive renovation, which was...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
Iowa City Completes Five-Year Strategic Plan
In March, the City of Iowa City engaged ECICOG to assist with the development of a five-year strategic plan. The multifaceted planning...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
$412,105 EDA Grant to Expand Rural Ideas Network
In partnership with ECICOG, the Rural Ideas Network has been awarded a $412,105 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA)...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
Kirkwood Awarded $792,848 Grant to Remodel Hangar for Training Future Aircraft Mechanics
Kirkwood Community College received a grant from the Economic Development Administration to renovate a hangar at the Eastern Iowa Airport...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
Swisher, Oxford and Anamosa to Start Comprehensive Planning Process
ECICOG has begun work on a comprehensive plan update for Swisher and will start similar work in Oxford and Anamosa over the next few...
Nov 16, 20221 min read
Watch This Webinar to Learn How Innovation Labs Support Rural Entrepreneurs and Main Streets
On Thursday, September 22, we learned how communities can convert underused spaces into entrepreneurial hubs, when ECICOG hosted a...
Sep 26, 20221 min read
Homes for Iowa Receives 2025 HousingIowa Award
Congratulations to the Homes for Iowa Team on winning a HousingIowa Award! The Iowa Association of Councils of Government played a key role in establishing this successful program. Beyond providing affordable housing options, the program also helps prison inmates learn valuable construction skills while building the homes in a controlled environment. ECICOG has assisted with numerous Homes for Iowa projects throughout the region. For more information on Homes for Iowa, visit
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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
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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
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