The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today (Wednesday) awarded $928,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 13 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects such as façade upgrades and restoration, upper floor rehabilitation, and remodeled spaces for expanding downtown businesses.Among the grant recipients, was Manning, which received $75,000 toward the $157,492 cost of a Downtown Revitalization Project.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Des Moines Botanical Center.  IEDA Director Debi Durham said “These challenge grants have proven to be catalysts for the revitalization of Iowa’s historic main streets. These projects represent the ongoing commitment the people of our state have to the revitalization of our historic downtown districts. Rehabilitated buildings create opportunities for new business in Iowa communities, and new businesses mean new jobs.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of the 13 projects is over $7.6 million. Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler explained “Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match.  Overall, these projects will leverage almost nine times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation.”

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002, approximately $5 million in state and federal funds has leveraged over $34 million in private reinvestment in 97 projects in 42 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say their New Programs Director, Chelsea Amundson, recently moved to Griswold from Lincoln, Nebraska. While in Lincoln, Chelsea graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was employed as the Marketing Specialist at Nebraska WeddingDay Magazine and served as the Twenty Somethings Women’s Ministry Director at Lincoln Berean Church. She has currently been serving as the Project Manager for Farmers Markets of Cass County supported by the USDA Rural Enterprise Grant, and partnered with Produce in the Park.

Originally from Arlington, Nebraska, Chelsea is passionate about people and community betterment. Her skills and past experiences will be a great addition to the Chamber and she looks forward to establishing roots in the Atlantic Area. Chamber Executive Director Ouida Wymer said “We are so excited to have Chelsea join the Chamber, she has an excellent background in marketing, promotions and volunteerism.”

Authorities in southwest Iowa are searching for an unidentified suspect this (Wednesday) morning following a failed traffic stop on Tuesday afternoon. Taylor County Sheriff Josh Weed reports deputies attempted to stop a charcoal-colored Dodge pickup at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, but the attempted stop resulted in a 15-minute chase that ended when the truck crashed into a corn field at the intersection of Tennessee Avenue and 230th Street east of Bedford. The driver fled the wreckage on foot.

Deputies searched for the suspect until dark at 7 o’clock when the search was suspended. Sheriff Weed says shortly after ten o’clock a rural resident near the intersection of Highway 2 and Rockwood Avenue reported a man in their back yard. Weed says he believes the suspect may be looking for a vehicle to steal. The Taylor County Sheriff reminds residents to keep their vehicles locked and to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. Weed asks anyone with information about suspicious activity to call the Taylor County Sheriff’s office at 712-523-2153.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A 42-year-old Iowa man suspected in a hit-and-run accident has been fatally injured in a north Omaha crash. Police say Robert Robison, of Carter Lake, was pronounced dead at an Omaha hospital after Tuesday night’s accident.

Omaha police say officers were flagged down by someone who reported a hit-and-run on McKinley Street. A sport utility vehicle matching the description provided soon was spotted. Officers lost sight of the SUV but then found it after it had crashed. Investigators say SUV apparently had gone out of control. It clipped a tree and rolled, ejecting Robison.

Police say one of his passengers was hospitalized for minor injuries, and another wasn’t hurt.