ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & RECOVERY
Iowa’s Councils of Governments are deeply involved in economic development. COGs serve as Economic Development Districts (EDD), a special designation through the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). As EDD’s, COG develop five-year economic development strategies for their respective regions and work to secure EDA funding for economic development and recovery.
Total EDA projected funding secured by COGS
over the last three years:
$30,410,095
Southwest Iowa Planning Council
The City of Hamburg received a $7,899,000 EDA grant in October of 2020 to increase the height of the levee protecting the city’s industrial area following the devastating Floods of 2019. Increasing the levee height above the previous height of 911’ to 919’ will help ensure that the city’s primary employers can rebuild and invest in the community with renewed certainty for the future.
Region 6 Resource Partners
The City of Marshalltown was awarded a $2.9 million grant from the Economic Development Administration in September of 2020. The Edgewood Extension Project will construct a new roadway, create industrial lots for private development, and facilitate stormwater and utility infrastructure improvements in the area. With the new road, heavy truck traffic will be diverted off Highway 14 to make the intersection at Third Avenue and Marion Street safer. The intersection has become accident-prone because of the Third Avenue’s heavy traffic and has led to several fatalities. Funds are expected to create more than 100 new jobs.
Region 6 Resource Partners
The City of Iowa Falls was awarded a $518,400 grant from the Economic Development Administration in September of 2020 for a floodproofing project.
This project will floodproof the City of Iowa Falls public water supply and wastewater treatment facility by raising well heads, electrical equipment, and by installing temporary and permanent flood barriers. These facilities sit directly adjacent to the Iowa River. Large local industries will greatly benefit from less disruption to water or sewer services.
East Central Iowa COG
In November 2022, the Rural Ideas Network was awarded a $412,105 grant from the Economic Development Administration to expand its efforts to support rural entrepreneurs across Iowa.
Since 2020, the Rural Ideas Network has piloted two services for supporting entrepreneurs in rural communities — a coworking program known as Innovation Labs and a virtual Business Lab service. Through the Innovation Lab program, the Rural Ideas Network staff helps local community partners to plan, launch, and operate coworking spaces that serve as innovation and entrepreneurship hubs within rural communities. Each Business Lab offers a full menu of virtual programs, including one-on-one business coaching, peer learning, and technical assistance and training.
East Central Iowa COG
In April 2021, the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) received a $393,184 EDA grant. ICAD is using the grant to support the EdTech Collaborative, including the addition of a full-time Director. The EdTech Collaborative is a group of businesses, economic development groups, and other organizations focused on growing the education technology industry in Iowa. The grant is expected to create or retain 463 jobs.
East Central Iowa COG
Kirkwood Community College received a $792,848 grant from the Economic Development Administration in November 2022.
The grant will be used to remodel an existing aircraft hangar at the Eastern Iowa Airport into a learning facility for a new Aviation Maintenance Technician program. The project will add classroom space, a workshop, and access to airport facilities. The project is expected to create 100 jobs.
Region XII COG
The City of Perry recieved an EDA grant on July 23, 2020 in the amount of $1,240,237 for the Foundry District Street and Untility Relocation project.
The project will reconstruct streets in Perry's Downtown Foundry District and relocate existing utilities to allow for Wiese Industries and Progressive Foundries to expanding their existing operations.
Region XII COG
The City of Lake View received an EDA grant on August 4, 2022 in the amount of $418,832 for a water supply project.The project will consist of constructing 6,000 linear feet of water main along Highway 175 and 3rd Street to provide adequate water supply for EVAPCO in Lake View. EVAPCO will complete a $12.5 million plant expansion and create an additional 60 jobs.
Iowa Northland Regional COG
The City of Cedar Falls received a $1,500,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration in June 2022. The EDA award will be matched to approximately $3,300,000 in local funding in order to construct the Cedar River Recreation project, which includes in-stream and upland improvement related to development of a whitewater course.
Iowa Northland Regional COG
The City of Waterloo received a $1,805,214 grant from the Economic Development Administration in September 2022.
The EDA award will be matched to approximately $667,682 in local funding in order to construct a fiber optic trunkline that serves primarily commercial and industrial areas of the community.
Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council
Monona County received a $1 million grant from the Economic Development Administration in April 2021. The grant is being used to improve access to a barge port development along the Missouri River. This project is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $11.5 million in private investment.
Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council
The City of Sioux City received a $1 million grant from the Economic Development Administration in April 2021.
The grant is being used to build a hanger at the Sioux City Gateway Airport to be leased by an aviation school that would provide training in flight, mechanics, avionics and other certifications. This project is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $720,000 in private investment.
Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council
Briar Cliff University in Sioux City received a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration in April 2022.
The grant is being used to expand healthcare workforce training. The new facility will support the preparation, graduation and placement of 200 new health care professionals in the Siouxland community.
Southern Iowa COG
The City of Osceola received a $2 million EDA grant to Clarke County Development Corporation to support construction of a workforce training center in Osceola. This EDA grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.
This project will provide training in advanced manufacturing and construction trades in southern Iowa. The EDA investment will be matched with $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 118 jobs, according to grantee estimates.
Bi-State Regional Commission
The City of Muscatine received a $3.2 million grant from EDA to improve the levee along the Mississippi River to further protect the industrial area with 215 businesses and 3,000 jobs.
Area 15 Regional Planning Commission & Chariton Valley Planning and Development
Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, received a $725,000 EDA grant to equip the college’s Career and Technical Education training facility at the Centerville campus.
This project will provide the equipment needed to facilitate effective training programs to meet regional demand for jobs in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, construction, healthcare, and transportation. The EDA grant, to be matched with $725,000 in local investment, is expected to create more than 110 jobs, according to grantee estimates. The project area is covered by Chariton Valley Planning and Development (Centerville) and Area 15 Regional Planning Commission (Ottumwa).
East Central Intergovernmental Association
Northeast Iowa Community College recieved a $317,655 EDA grant for the Business Resliency and Recovery Project (total project $400,655). This grant provides funding to staff a business hotline as well as provide training to businesses in order to aid in the recovery of the COVID Pandemic.
East Central Intergovernmental Association
The City of Dyersville received a $1,500,000 EDA COVID Disaster grant for a wastewater extention to the Field of Dreams.
East Central Intergovernmental Association
Eastern Iowa Community College received a $787,620 EDA COVID Disaster grant to purchase Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment and welding equipment for the expanded Regional Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers located in Maquoketa and Clinton.