|  | |  | As always, SICOG provides an un-exhaustive list of grants to generate ideas about possible projects and provide funding guidance. Grant funding sources are increasingly interested in creative solutions to problems and many are willing to support not just construction but also operations. If your community has a problem that outside funding might address, then please contact your SICOG office. We would be glad to help and can attend a local meeting at no cost to discuss the project or idea. There are many other sources, so if you have project, please contact us. | | | 10 Iowa Smart Planning Principles |
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| In the coming issues of The Windmill, I’ll cover the 10 Iowa Smart Planning Principles, now codified in Iowa Code Chapter 18B. This month, we’ll cover the sixth one: housing diversity. The Code reads as follows:
“Housing diversity – Planning, zoning, development, and resource management should encourage diversity in the types of available housing, support the rehabilitation of existing housing, and promote the location of housing near public transportation and employment centers.”
The Code states that the local government shall consider and may apply the 10 principles in appropriate planning, zoning, development, and resource management decisions. The question becomes how to consider and apply them. When SICOG works on these issues, we like to take on the principles directly. We evaluate possible planning goals, objectives, actions, and policies in terms of how these may impact, positively or negatively, each of the 10 principles.
Housing diversity is vitally important to the quality of life in a community. Many of our communities have old housing stock of mostly the same types of homes. There is a lack of variety in terms of price, style, type(single-family, multi-family, etc.), and location. Prices of homes tend to be too low when considering the need to have increasing value in order to build wealth. This means that banks are unable to lend enough to build a home or to make major improvements. New housing is too expensive for most rural residents. |
| Style is a major problem. Anyone who has looked to purchase a home in the region probably has found many dated housing styles, too few bathrooms, or an inadequate garage. Funding is lacking to modernize homes, make them more efficient, and remove hazards such as lead, mold, radon, and asbestos. Funding that can be obtained may fix deficiencies but will not replace 1970s carpet or designs or add a walk-in shower.
Type of housing is also a problem. Today, many older people want to live entirely on one floor, but many homes have essential living areas in basements and upper floors. Zoning often does not allow accessory dwelling units, which allow families to live together. There is resistance to multi-family housing, tiny homes, and other housing types that might address housing needs and grow the community.
Finally, location isa problem. Traditional zoning makes it a challenge to grow the housing stock in areas where people work. The lack of total housing units in rural area is not being made up by new construction, and the best places for affordable new housing are infill lots where run-down housing now exists. Until there is a concentrated and consistent effort to redevelop these areas, few homes will be built and most of them will require expensive infrastructure extensions.
Housing diversity is an area where rural southern Iowa can really grow. But we must not be afraid of NIMBYs.
This planning principle can show up in planning documents through goals, strategies, and policies adopted locally, codes such as zoning adopted locally, and operating procedures created and standardized for local staff and officials. |
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| | | The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)annual grant program is making $1 billion available nationally for projects that protect people and infrastructure from natural hazards and the effects of climate change. The Flood Mitigation Assistance program is making $800 million available for projects that mitigate flood risks facing homes and communities across the nation. The funding for these two programs has been greatly increased thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
FEMA is also providing additional financial and technical support to help over burdened and underserved communities build resilience. This includes cost share adjustments and help with completing a Benefit-Cost Analysis for certain communities.
The agency is also expanding BRIC Direct Technical Assistance with a goal to add at least 80 more communities to the current 74 local jurisdictions nationwide.
Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes, FEMA’s grants management system. Applications must be submitted in the portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 29, 2024. FEMA will not consider applications after this deadline. The application deadlines are for applicants only. Local governments should consult with their state, tribal or territorial agency to confirm deadlines to submit sub-applications. Talk with Jeremy or Terry at SICOG to discuss your infrastructure project. | | IDOT Working on NOFO for EV Charging Stations | The IDOT is about it issue a NOFO for EV charging stations along interstate highways. The NOFO describes eligible applicants, which are private and nonprofit organizations, utility providers, and local governments when partnering with other eligible entities. It also outlines the technology to be constructed and locations. Many of the priority locations for the EV stations are exits in our region. The following exit numbers and counties are in our region. Zone 4 – I-35 exits 12, 18, and 22 in Decatur County Zone 5 – I-35 exits 34 and 36 in Clarke County and exits 43, 47, 52, and 56 just outside of Madison in Warren County Zone 10 – I-80 exits 75,76, 83, 86, 88 in Adair County
Each zone will hopefully have one interchange with one or more stations so that no station is more than 50 miles apart. Contact Jeremy or Jessica to discuss this funding. | | | New Round of Destination Iowa Funding | Gov. Reynolds announced a new $6.5 million investment in communities to bolster tourism and quality of life through Destination Iowa. The grant initiative, which launched in 2022 with federal funding, became a state-funded initiative following approval from the Iowa legislature this year.
“Destination Iowa has inspired communities statewide to dream big about projects that will give tourists a reason to explore and newcomers a reason to call Iowa home,” Governor Reynolds said. “This initiative has advanced 46 projects across the state so far, activating more than $480million in total investment. Support from the state will open this opportunity for even more communities to boost tourism and quality of life while raising the profile of our state.”
Funds will be awarded to projects investing in vertical infrastructure, such as land acquisition and construction, recreational trails and water trails. The goal is for Iowa communities to make strategic investments that create or support lasting opportunities to attract visitors and enhance quality of life amenities for residents, thereby boosting local economies and attracting talent. | |
| Eligible projects can receive grant funds up to 25% of eligible project costs related to the construction, development, or expansion of destination. Applicants must have 65% of financing/fundraising secured at time of the pre-application. Half of program funds are allocated to Rural Destinations. Rural is defined as a community that has a population of less than 20,000.
Rural eligible projects will have minimum total project costs of $1.5 million or greater.
Primary Destination: means natural, man-made, cultural, recreational or educational attraction(s) that drive visitors to an area. It is the primary target for promoting tourism, attracting visitors, and stimulating economic development in that specific area.
Priority will be given to applicants that have not been awarded money from the federally funded Destination Iowa fund or other programs intended to support community attraction and tourism projects after July 1,2018. Eligible applicants include cities, counties and not-for-profit organizations.
The program will follow a two-step application process. Pre-applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from October 23, 2023,through January 31, 2024, via a form on IEDA’s website. For those applicants invited to apply for the full application, the final application deadline is March 1, 2024. |
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| Contact Jeremy or Terry at SICOG for assistance. SICOG would like to submit a half dozen pre-applications in hopes that some would be invited promising projects. | | Leon Awarded $8,000 to Encourage Healthy Eating and Active Living | Leon was selected as one of the 14 communities across Iowa to receive 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count funding through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a nationally recognized, evidence-based framework to promote the daily recommendations of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity and 0 sugary drinks. The goal of 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is to work with parents, teachers, childcare providers, health care providers, and business leaders to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change.
By working with communities to implement 5-2-1-0 strategies, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to promote health equity, increasing opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible by addressing social, economic and environmental barriers that impact health.
Past projects around Iowa include outdoor workout equipment installed at a local park in Sergeant Bluff, expanded recreation offerings (snowshoes, ice skates and skate trainers) for community members to rent in Spencer and an installation of ADA-compliant water stations around Ottumwa. The following grants were awarded to Iowa communities for 2024. | First Year $30,000 Awards ● Charles City, Floyd County ● Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County ● Humboldt, Humboldt County ● Tipton, Cedar County |
| Second Year $15,000 Awards ● Davenport, Scott County ● Olin/Anamosa, Jones County ● Perry, Dallas County ● Sioux City, Woodbury County ● Tama/Toledo, Tama County |
| Third Year $8,000 Awards ● Centerville, Appanoose County ● Keokuk, Lee County ● Leon, Decatur County ● Oskaloosa, Mahaska County ● Postville, Allamakee County |
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| Funding for 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Is provided by the State of Iowa Health and Human Services Appropriations for Childhood Obesity Prevention. | | | SICOG Partnerships 2023 | Platinum ($2,500) *Creston City Water Works *Clarke County Development Corporation *City of Osceola *John Wayne Birthplace Society, LTD of Winterset
Diamond ($1,500) *First National Bank of Creston & Afton *Iowa State Savings Bank of Creston & Lenox *Lenox Municipal Utilities
Gold ($1,000) *Corning Municipal Utilities *Garden & Associates, LTD of Creston & Oskaloosa *Greater Regional Health *PCSB of Clarinda, Corning, Creston, Lenox and Mount Ayr
Silver ($500) *American State Bank of Lamoni, Osceola & Winterset *JEO Consulting Group of Ankeny *North Stone Apartments & Corkrean Construction of Winterset *Snyder & Associates, Inc of Ankeny & Atlantic *Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative of Corning, Mount Ayr & Stanton *Tyler Insurance Services of Creston & Mount Ayr *Veenstra & Kimm, INC of West Des Moines |
| Bronze ($250) *Adams Community Economic Development Corporation *Afton Development Corporation *Akin Building Center of Corning & Creston *City State Bank of Mount Ayr *Clarke County Hospital *Clarke Electrical Cooperative of Osceola *Community Development Corp of Greenfield *Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Orient, St. Charles & Winterset *First National Bank of Osceola *FNB of Fontanelle & Greenfield *Grundman Insurance Agency of Corning *Lenox Chamber of Commerce *Lenox Development Corporation *R Realty of Creston *Rainbow International of Winterset *Ringgold County Development Corporation *Saylor Realty, LLC of Osceola *Southwestern Community College *State Bank of Brooks of Corning *Subway of Corning *TS Bank of Treynor in Corning *Union County Development Association *Union State Bank of Greenfield *Union State Bank of Winterset |
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| Interested in becoming a partner?! Call us today at (641) 782-8491 or go to the Partnership page on the SICOG website and fill out the form at the bottom of the page! | | | SICOG Executive Board Minutes- October 3, 2023 | Chairman Jerry Walker called the meeting to order at 1:00p.m. at the SICOG office. The following members were present: Akin, Davidson, Dunbar, Fitch(Phone), Friday, Geist, Leners, Pantini (Zoom), Walker, Wengryn and Zabel.
Staff present: Waddle (Zoom), Brimm, and Comstock.
Akin made a motion to approve the agenda. Dunbar seconded the motion, all ayes. Motion carried.
Akin made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14,2023, meeting. Zabel seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
Zabel made a motion to approve the financial reports as presented for the month of September. Akin seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. |
| Wengryn made a motion to approve the EDA-RLF Resolution as presented. Zabel seconded the motion. Roll call votes were taken: Akin- Aye, Davidson- Aye, Dunbar- Aye, Fitch- Aye, Friday- Aye, Geist- Aye, Holmes- Absent, Leners- Aye, Pantini- Aye, Risser- Absent, Walker- Aye, Wengryn- Aye, and Zabel- Aye. Motion Carried.
Other items discussed included: audit, grant report, by-laws, personnel policies and legislative.
Zabel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:10 p.m. Wengryn seconded the motion, all ayes. Motion carried.
Minutes Submitted by Comstock |
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| | ATURA Board Meeting- Tuesday, November 14
SICOG Closed Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24 in Observance of Thanksgiving
SICOG Executive Board Meeting- Tuesday, December 5
SICOG Closed Monday, December 25 in Observance of Christmas
SICOG Closed Monday, January 1, 2024 in Observance of New Years
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| | SICOG Executive Board Jerry Walker, Chairperson, Adair County Diane Fitch, Vice Chairperson, Madison County Karen Zabel, Secretary, Taylor County Scott Akin, Treasurer, Adams County Randy Dunbar, Clarke County Sam Wengryn, Decatur County Colby Holmes, Ringgold County Rick Friday, Union County Doug Davidson, Private Sector Tom Leners, Private Sector Raelynne Risser, Private Sector Jodie Geist, Private Sector Wayne Pantini, Member-At-Large |
| SICOG Staff Beth Waddle, Executive Director Judy Brimm, Finance Director Jeremy Rounds, Regional Planner Jessica Hagen, Transportation Planner Terry Niestadt, Regional Planner Kendra Comstock, Planning Tech |
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