Indianola Awarded $650,000 Community Development Block Grant Supporting Revitalization Efforts At Indianola Downtown Square
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2024
With the grant, along with matching 25% contributions from the City and participating property owners for eight building facades, roughly $1.3 million will be invested into the Square for improvements
INDIANOLA, IA — The City of Indianola, in its continuing effort to support commercial revitalization and economic development in the Indianola Downtown Square, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) totaling $650,000, as shared Monday, June 3, during the Indianola City Council’s regular meeting.
With the grant award, along with matching 25% contributions from the City and participating property owners for eight building facades, roughly $1.3 million will be invested into the Square for improvements.
"The major investment in Indianola's historic downtown brings another opportunity and additional growth for our Square,” said Charlie Dissell, Deputy City Manager/Chief of Development & Operations. “With $1.3 million being infused into the heart of our city, supported by federal CDBG funds, City funding and property owner contributions, we are continuing to pave the way for transformative improvements that will elevate our community and propel us towards achieving the goals of our comprehensive plan."
The City’s application and efforts for this opportunity, led by Dissell, Associate Planner Emily Rizvic and the Community Development Department, was assisted by Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance and Curtis Architecture. At the Indianola City Council’s regular meeting on June 3, Mayor Stephanie Erickson signed the official grant award letter and the complete grant contract agreement.
“This is very monumental, and things are really moving for the Square,” Mayor Erickson said during the meeting, adding her thanks to Dissell, Community Development Department staff, project partners and Square property owners for their hard work and commitment to make these improvements possible.
About the CDBG Program & Indianola’s Application
According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, which administers the grant process through its Downtown Revitalization Program, the CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that provides grants on an annual basis to states and some local communities to help develop viable communities.
All CDBG funding must meet one of the three eligible national objectives:
Benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
Aid in the prevention and elimination of slum and blight.
Meet an urgent need.
The City of Indianola’s CDBG application focused on the elimination of slum and blight and to meet urgent needs, incorporating a direct connection with its Downtown Facade and Interior Improvement Program. The City’s program, established in 2023, was developed to maintain, preserve and improve downtown aesthetics with the goal to build a destination where local businesses can thrive and people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, create and celebrate.
Participating Properties & Preliminary Renderings
View preliminary renderings for participating Square properties that committed and will benefit from the CDBG award on the Indianola city website.
