(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Wednesday, approved four-point-five million dollars in Community Development Block Grant funds for 11 Iowa communities, including Emerson, Sidney and Wiota. I-E-D-A spokesperson, Brooke Miller, says the funds are targeted at specific areas.
She says the funds enable the communities to make needed improvements to water and sewer systems, improve housing conditions for homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals, along with transforming downtown spaces.

Miller says these grants are only available to non-metropolitan areas. “The funds are awarded based on benefit to low and moderate income people, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project as well,” according to Miller.  She says the communities will receive the funding once the final contracts are signed. She says it’s a federally funded program through the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the state administers the funds.

Here’s the list of awards and matching amounts for each community in our area:
Emerson Sanitary Sewer Improvements $300,000 award/match $95,581.
Sidney Water System Improvements $382,041 award/match $486,234.
Wiota Water System Improvements $116,000 award/match $767,320.