Broadband
- Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program
The Office of the Chief Information Officer administers the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program designed to reduce or eliminate areas of the State of Iowa that are unserved or underserved by broadband service, leveraging federal funds and public and private partnerships where possible, by awarding grants to communications service providers that reduce or eliminate targeted service areas by installing broadband infrastructure that facilitates broadband service in Targeted Service Areas. The sections below provide information on Active and Expired Broadband Grant opportunities made available by the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program.
Deadline: TBA - ITQ – Broadband Intervention Zones
This ITQ seeks to establish Geographic Areas of Concern that may be eligible to receive funding in connection with future funding opportunities issued by the Office to support the deployment of broadband to unserved and unserved locations.
NOTE: This ITQ is NOT a grant opportunity. No funds are being offered in connection with this ITQ, nor does a successful application to this ITQ guarantee funding will be made available for any Broadband Intervention Zone in the future. To be eligible for funding in the future, an application must be submitted.
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Community, Economic Development and Housing
- Art Project Grant
For the current grant cycle, the Iowa Arts Council has combined the Art Project Grant for individual artists and Iowa Artist Fellowship applications into one application. - Art Project Grants for individual artists range from $1,000 to $10,000 with 50% cash match requirement and support the creation or presentation of an original work of art, arts experience or arts learning opportunity that will increase the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
- The Iowa Artist Fellowship is a one-time, $10,000 award, paired with robust professional development, peer mentorship and coaching opportunities, that supports Iowa artists who are committed to advancing their artistic practice and are at a pivotal stage in their career.
Deadline: May 1, 2023
- Country School Grant Program
Apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding to assist in the preservation and maintenance of a one-room or two-room country school in Iowa. In addition to preservation efforts, grant funds may be used for historical interpretation or educational activities relating to the school. Priority is given to projects that include an educational component.
Deadline: May 1, 2023 - Historical Resource Development Program
Apply for grant funding to help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about Iowa’s historical assets. The Historical Resource Development Program provides funding for documentary collections, historic preservation and museums.
Deadline: May 1, 2023 - Iowa Arts & Culture Emergency Relief Fund
The Iowa Arts & Culture Emergency Relief Fund provides short-term financial relief to eligible organizations impacted by natural disasters, emergencies and other unforeseen events that pose an active threat to publicly-accessible artistic, cultural or humanities resources.
Deadline: Ongoing - CDBG Community Facilities and Services
Approximately $1.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are available on an annual basis to cities and counties through the state of Iowa’s Community Facilities Fund. This annual competitive program offers grants to assist communities with a variety of projects including daycare facilities, senior centers, vocational workshops and other community services such as stormwater projects.
Deadline: Ongoing - CDBG Sustainable Community Demonstration
Sustainable Community Demonstration Project Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is available to local governments on a competitive basis. The Sustainable Community Demonstration Project category provides grants to communities for green infrastructure-based stormwater projects and for a variety of projects and activities demonstrating comprehensive innovative approaches to support community sustainability. To date, the program has funded a demonstration district geothermal project in a community downtown and a demonstration streetscape project that integrated green infrastructure best management practices for stormwater, combined with LED street lights and a building façade master plan.
Deadline: Ongoing - Nuisance/Abandoned Property Remediation Fund (This is a Loan and Not Grant Program)
The Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Remediation program provides financial assistance to communities to remediate residential nuisance buildings and structures. The administrative rules for the Nuisance Property and Abandoned Building Remediation program can be found in Iowa Administrative Code, section 216- Chapter 22. Please refer to these rules as necessary for more information regarding program requirements. The program has a maximum loan request of $500,000. IEDA will evaluate requests and approve loan amounts based on application scoring, ability to repay, and the amount of program funds available.
Deadline: Ongoing - Community Catalyst Building Remediation
Through the Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program, the Iowa Economic Development Authority will provide grants to communities up to $100,000 for the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community. Strong applications will show the potential of catalytic economic growth in the community; improve appearances & safety; make use of underutilized property, exhibit appropriate design standards; and be well-funded. Economic growth may include the creation of additional jobs, growth of new or existing businesses, development of new housing units, increase in property values, or potential population growth.
Deadline: March 16, 2023 - CDBG 2020 Disaster Recovery (Derecho) – Housing
This program is designed to assist homeowners in addressing deficiencies incurred as a result of the August 2020 derecho. Low to moderate income households will be prioritized for assistance. Rehab assistance should have a tieback to the August 2020 derecho event. The homes must be the primary residence of the household. A 2-year occupancy period will be filed as a receding lien. The State will make awards based on project applications and is anticipating approximately 50 rehabs over the life of the program. Eligible applicants are units of general local government (cities, counties, and tribes) as identified in the HUD Most Impacted & Distressed (MID) areas identified in the State of Iowa 2020 CDBG-DR Action Plan. These areas are Linn County (HUD MID Area).
Deadline: March 24, 2023 - CDBG Housing Upper Story Conversion
This program funds activities limited to existing buildings to either rehabilitate non-occupiable units or convert existing spaces into new units. All spaces must be vacant and non-occupiable at the time of application and for a period of at least five (5) years.
Applications for funding are competitive and must be received prior to the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Deadline: April 20, 2023 - CDBG 2019 Disaster Recovery – Buyout
To provide for the acquisition of properties located in a floodplain or floodway, or in Disaster Risk Reduction Areas as designated by the grantee, to reduce the risk from future flooding. This opportunity is only open to applicants in Fremont, Harrison, and Mills counties.
Deadline: Open Until Funds are Spent
Public Facilities
CDBG 2020 Disaster Recovery (Derecho) – Generator
This program is designed to fund the installation of generators for critical facilities. Eligible facilities include fire stations, police stations, schools (if operating as a shelter amid disaster), public health clinic, public hospital, food bank, homeless shelter, community center, senior center, library (if operating as a shelter amid disaster), lift station or municipal water/sewer facilities, group home, resiliency hub, etc. Eligible applicants are units of general local government (cities, counties, and tribes) as identified in the Most Impacted & Distressed (MID) areas identified in the State of Iowa 2020 CDBG-DR Action Plan. These areas are Linn County (HUD MID Area) and Marshall, Tama, and Benton counties (State MID Area).
Deadline: March 24, 2023
Public Safety
Rural EMS Pilot Grant
The Rural EMS Pilot Grant program aims to leverage technology and volunteers to address challenges in rural emergency response. The mission is to provide immediate medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. Recognizing the challenge of resources in rural Iowa and vast geographic area, this pilot will support at least two applicants to leverage GPS-location technology with trained volunteers to decrease the immediate response time and stabilize emergencies while coordinating with emergency assistance. Pilot program funding would be used to provide training and equipment to volunteers.
Deadline Pre Application: March 1, 2023
Deadline Final Application: May 1, 2023
Transportation Opportunities
- Federal-Aid Surface Transportation Block Grant Program
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), allow many types of eligible projects for the use of federal funds to preserve and improve the condition and performance of any Federal-aid highway, bridge or tunnel project on any public road. (A Federal-aid Highway includes routes classified as a rural major collector or a collector street or any higher classification.) Surface Transportation Block Grant funds may also be used on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and transit capital projects including intercity bus terminals. However, an RPA or MPO may have a more restrictive list of eligible projects, and they may approve only specific uses on an individual project basis. If interest in the grant contact your regional COG, and to find your COG click on the following link: https://www.iowacog.com/find-your-cog
Deadline: Ongoing - Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Program
Projects funded by the RISE program promote economic development in Iowa through the establishment, construction, and improvement of roads and streets. The RISE program is targeted toward value-adding activities that feed new dollars into the economy and provide maximum economic impact to the state on primary or secondary roads, and city streets open for public use. While all counties and incorporated cities in Iowa are eligible to apply, funding is generally limited to industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and professional office developments, with few exceptions.
Deadline: Ongoing
Water, Sewer, Storm Sewer and Electrical Infrastructure
- Energy Infrastructure Revolving Loan Program (Loan Program Only)
Examples of eligible costs include, but are not limited to: - Real and personal property comprising a project
- Materials and equipment required for necessary site preparation, construction, and installation of a project
- Labor for site preparation, construction, and installation of a project.
- Costs associated with maintenance, operation, or repair of a project during the term of the loan.
- The minimum loan amount is $50,000 and the maximum is $2.5 million. An applicant may apply for a loan for up to 75% of the total costs of the project.
Deadline: Ongoing - CDBG Water & Sewer Fund
Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections.
Deadline: Ongoing / Quarterly - SRF Planning and Design Loan
Planning & Design Loans cover costs incurred in the planning and design phase of a water infrastructure project. These loans have 0 percent interest for up to three years and require no initiation or servicing fees. In addition, there is no minimum or maximum loan amount. Eligible costs include engineering fees, archaeological surveys, environmental or geological studies, and costs related to project plan preparation. The loans may be rolled into a State Revolving Fund (SRF) construction loan or can be repaid when permanent financing is committed. The project planning and design costs must be directly related to the proposed wastewater, storm water or drinking water projects.
Deadline: Ongoing - State Revolving Fund Loan and Principal Forgiveness
Low Interest loans and potential principal low forgiveness to disadvantaged communities. Factors that determine if a community is eligible for principal forgiveness include how many project priority points are awarded, socioeconomic assessment score, and household burden indicators.
Deadline: Ongoing
Other Opportunities
- CDBG 2020 Disaster Recovery (Derecho) – Tree Planting
This program is designed to fund the removal of tree stumps and support replanting activities for tree species as a result of damage incurred by the August 2020 derecho. Trees will be removed and/or trees native to Iowa will be replanted on public right-of-way, parks, and other publicly-owned lands. Low to moderate income areas will be prioritized for award. The State will make awards based on project applications and is anticipating approximately 5,000 trees planted and/or stumps removed over the life of the program. Eligible applicants are units of general local government (cities, counties, and tribes) as identified in the Most Impacted & Distressed (MID) areas identified in the State of Iowa 2020 CDBG-DR Action Plan. These areas are Linn County (HUD MID Area) and Marshall, Tama, and Benton counties (State MID Area).
Deadline: March 24, 2023
