The Hotel Ottumwa is one of 59 housing projects announced by the governor and Iowa Economic Development Authority. (Photo via Google Earth)
Iowa’s most rural counties have been granted $20 million to redevelop abandoned, empty or dilapidated properties.
Iowa’s 11 highest-populated counties received $18 million, to make a statewide total of $38 million in workforce housing credits granted to support more than 2,000 residential units, the governor’s office announced Friday.
“When Iowans have the opportunity to live where they work, our people, communities and businesses thrive,” Reynolds said in a news release. “Building a strong continuum of housing across the state supports our workforce, attracts new residents, and grows our economy.”
The grants awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority satisfied 59 projects, and awarded just over half of the $70 million requested by Iowa communities through 107 applications.
“Housing is a critical part of efforts to strengthen the quality of life statewide,” Debi Durham, director of Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority said in the news release. “The awards announced today will help more communities thrive and more families move where opportunities await them.”
The Iowa Workforce Housing tax credit program projects must meet criteria to ensure the housing is being created is workforce housing.
Some of the projects announced by the governor include:
West Branch (Cedar County): The Heritage Hill project will rehabilitate a former concrete manufacturing site to accommodate 29 single family attached townhomes.
Ottumwa (Wapello County): Redevelopment of the historic Hotel Ottumwa will provide 64 residential rental units on the upper floors with meeting/reception space available on the ground floor.
Sheldon (O’Brien County): Renovations of three vacant buildings for the Jackrabbit Upper Story Development project will create five rental units that offer easy access to restaurants, shopping and other downtown amenities.
Knoxville (Marion County): Origin Homes will develop the land formerly occupied by the VA hospital to construct five single-family, owner-occupied homes in an area near trails and parks that also includes a splash pad.
See the full list of projects here.
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