Awards totaling $21.8 million were announced today (Tuesday) for 57 communities across the state. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support 58 community investment projects. The federally funded grants were awarded for community facilities, infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization and single family owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.

In the KJAN listening area, CDBG funds were awarded to the following cities for their respective projects:

• Guthrie Center – $500,000 for the replacement of old, undersized water mains, with new, 6-to 8-inch mains.
• Magnolia – $183,000 for the construction of improvements to the city’s water system to provide a reliable source of water and to comply with 10 state standards.
• Mt. Ayr – $420,000 for the installation of a sewer main extension to add 4 customers who are illegally not on the municipal system, and better serve a 5th household.
• New Market – $143,500 for the repair of the sewer collection and lagoon valve systems to reduce inflow and infiltration, and eliminate excess discharges.
• Elk Horn – $304,00 to be administered through SWIPCO, for eight housing units.
• Red Oak – $368,500 administered through SWIPCO for 10 housing units.
• Adair – $300,000 for the rehabilitation of 18 downtown building facades.
• Clarinda – $500,000 for the rehabilitation of 16 downtown building facades.
• Walnut – $300,000 for the rehabilitation of 15 downtown building facades.
• Mapleton – $482,586 for Stormwater verge infrastructure.

Debi Durham, director of IEDA said “Using these federal funds in all areas of our state, we are able to make strategic investments in Iowa’s smaller communities to assist them in becoming development-ready. As a result of these projects, thousands of Iowans will see infrastructure improvements, rehabilitated housing, new community facilities and exciting enhancements in their downtowns.”

IEDA received 108 applications for funding, totaling $38.9 million in requests. Grants were awarded based on benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, slum and blight elimination, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project.

The Community Development Block Grant program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state. Applications are solicited annually, generally during the fall.

Deputies in Cass County arrested an Elliott woman this (Tuesday) morning. The Sheriff’s office says 48-year old Kristine Courtney Ryan was taken into custody on a charge of OWI/2nd Offense. Ryan was brought to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $2,000 bond.

The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, approved the purchase of new 1-to-1 laptops. Superintendent Dana Kunze said the current generation of laptops for the students are ending their life span. Kunze said the board also approved the purchase of Ipads and an expansion of the 1-to-1 initiative to include 1st and 2nd graders, which means all students in grades 1 thru 12 will have computers or Ipads in the next school year.

He said also, the Griswold School Board approved the specifications only, for the possible purchase of a new, 8-seat full-size van. The vehicle has not yet been purchased.

Two people were arrested on separate charges Monday, in Atlantic. The A-PD reports 28-year old Jacky Walter, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault causing bodily injury. Walter was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, 17-year old Damian Sibbits, of Greene, was arrested on a charge of Harassment in the 1st Degree. Sibbits was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center, in Council Bluffs.

A man from Creston was arrested Saturday morning on a harassment charge. Creston Police report 52-year old Kirby Jay Konkler was arrested just before 5-a.m. Satureday at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 34 in Creston. Konkler was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Harassment in the 1st Degree. He was later released on $2,000 bond.