Last week on KJAN we told you about the latest round of grants being provided to non-profit groups and local governments through the Iowa West Foundation. Among the communities sharing in the huge pool of grant funds, is Underwood and Walnut. Together, the two communities are sharing a $665,000 grant that is administered by Pottawattamie County through its CITIES program, which supports rural economic development. A local match is required to help in the overall funding of projects. Walnut City Clerk Terri Abel told The Daily NonPareil her city’s portion of the Iowa West grant is $400,000, and will go toward a streetscape enhancement project in the main downtown block.
Among the improvements will be replacing the sidewalks in that block, along with new curbs and gutters. Abel said work will also include the leveling of bricks in the parking area on the block’s brick streets, and improvements to building facades located along the block. The community has budgeted $334,055 and is seeking slightly more than that amount from other sources to complete funding for the nearly $1.1 million project. Abel said applications for other grants have been made, and they hope work can begin this summer.
And, Underwood Mayor Denny Bardsley says his city is receiving the remainder of the Iowa West grant to help pay for new sewers to be hooked up to the businesses to the southeast near Interstate 80. The land where those businesses are located was annexed by the community several years ago. The community has budgeted $260,000 as a match. The Mayor said bids could be let in April or May. It’s hoped the sewer improvements might lead to more development in that general area.
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