March 12, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) β The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced that grant awards totaling more than $3.7 million have been awarded to the communities of Chelsea, Duncombe, Fort Madison, Lawler, McGregor, Mediapolis, Wellman and Yale to assist water and sewer infrastructure projects through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
βA reliable water system ensures that Iowa families have access to clean, safe water while also supporting local businesses,β said IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham. βInvesting in these upgrades builds a foundation for more resilient communities β today and for future generations who will call these places home.β
The CDBG program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state.
CDBG funds enable communities to make needed improvements to water and sewer systems, improve housing conditions for low-income homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals and make transformative downtown improvements.
IEDA received 19 applications totaling $8,631,050 in funding requests. Grants are awarded based upon the benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, financial need, project impact and readiness and commitment of local resources to the project.
IEDA started with $11.8 million to allocate for CDBG water and sewer grants in 2025. Applications are currently being accepted through May 1 for a second round, while a third round is expected to open later this year, with a tentative deadline of August 1.
For more information on CDBG or other community programs, visit iowaeda.com.
Download a list of the CDBG awards.
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