The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced which communities and organizations would be receiving Empower Rural Iowa grants on Monday.
Decorah is one of the communities to receive a $50,000 grant. Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, along with Decorah Jobs and the city plan to build 18 to 24 homes on site to provide workforce housing for moderate-income residents.
Kalona will use its grant to continue a summer program where students build or renovate homes while gaining hands-on job skills and creating affordable housing.
Spencer and the Northwest Iowa Corridor Habitat for Humanity will add garages and carports featuring safe rooms and backup power to modular homes built by inmates at the Newton prison facility. Fairfield, Keosauqua and Red Oak also won the $50,000 for housing projects.
Forest City, Lake Mills, and Clarion were among the five communities awarded $20,000 Rural Housing Readiness Assessment grants. They will each partner with ISU Extension to assess housing needs and guide local development strategies.
