IEDA Announces CDBG Award to Uptown Marion

By Uptown Marion | April 29, 2014 |

Uptown Marion, an Iowa Main Street District, in partnership with the City of Marion, has been awarded $500,000 by the Iowa Economic Development Authority to fund improvements to Uptown building facades. The Community Development Block Grant funds were awarded based on a competitive grant application involving significant building improvements totaling $1.2 million dollars. The funds will be invested into fifteen individual properties throughout the Uptown Marion District.

“Strategic investments like these are enhancing the state’s economic development efforts and helping some of Iowa’s smaller cities thrive and prosper, benefitting both current and future generations of Iowans,” said Governor Terry Branstad.

Grant dollars were awarded to Uptown Marion based on improvements to buildings in fair or poor condition, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project. Both the City of Marion and individual property owners will provide matching dollars to program.

“These dollars will leverage a significant amount of private investment into our historic city center,” said Nick Glew, Uptown Marion Program Director. “Combined with current building investments totaling more than five million dollars in Uptown Marion, this façade program will continue to drive the revitalization and growth of our district.

The Community Development Block Grant program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds. Funds will be used on the building facades to repair mortar, awnings, paint, windows, and more.

Design of building façade improvements will take place over the next several months with construction anticipated in 2015.