600361 - Iowa Rural Certified Site Initiative

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is offering grants up to $100,000 to cities for the remediation, rehabilitation, or deconstruction of under‑utilized commercial buildings. The program aims to catalyze economic growth, improve safety and aesthetics, and encourage reinvestment in communities, with a special emphasis on smaller cities (populations under 1,500). Applications are invitation‑only after a mandatory pre‑application, and each city may receive funding for one building (or two adjacent buildings under the same owner). • Maximum grant per project: $100,000 • 40 % of total funding reserved for cities with < 1,500 residents • Eligible projects: rehabilitation of one commercial building or two adjacent buildings; deconstruction allowed in dire/safety cases • Mandatory pre‑application; final application deadline April 15, 2026 • Funding sourced from annual appropriations; award amounts and timing not yet announced