| |
| |
|
Region 6 Leads Pandemic Relief Effort for Local Small Businesses
|
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 was awarded funds from the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to directly aid local businesses in adapting to changes caused by the pandemic, Region 6 allocated $80,000 to the Building Business Resilience through Digital Advancements (BBRDA) program. BBRDA aims to reduce economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for businesses throughout Marshall, Hardin, Poweshiek and Tama counties by providing digital support through education,
resource acquisition and development. |
|
|
|
| |
The first phase of BBRDA is a partnership with the Small
Business Development Center (SBDC). This aspect of the program provides webinars pertaining to website development, social media use and online
resources for local businesses. We anticipate the release of these webinars in
March 2021. The webinars will be accompanied with consultation services provided
by the SBDC.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
We are currently seeking consultants to assist businesses with the cost of website development and related digital services including ecommerce. Region 6 is also seeking additional funding to conduct more small business trainings.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Grant Will Help Revitalize Zamora Fresh Market Building in Downtown Marshalltown
|
|
|
|
| |
The Marshalltown downtown area was severely impacted by a tornado in July 2018. One of the hard hit buildings is home to Zamora Fresh Market. Region 6 Resource Partners assisted this business and Marshalltown Main Street with preparing a successful $150,000 Iowa Main Street Challenge Grant application to complete improvements largely on the building’s front
facade. These improvements should be underway in 2021. Many additional phases will be required to completely restore this iconic
structure.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Current Zamora Fresh Market
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future Building Improvements
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 continues to collaborate with business owners, the City of Marshalltown, Martha Ellen Tye Foundation and the local Rebuild group to improve other downtown buildings. It appears that this advanced planning may result in a new $1.5 million project to improve other downtown commercial facades. This work will hopefully commence in 2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Marshalltown Housing Repairs Continue Following Devastating 2018 Tornado
|
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 Resource Partners continues to assist the City of Marshalltown with a $500,000 federal grant through the Iowa Economic Development
Authority. Funds are being
used for owner occupied housing improvements in tornado affected areas. Approximately $200,000 of funding was obligated in 2020. The remaining funds
are obligated for 2021. The entire
project is scheduled for completion in 2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
After the tornado, the Marshalltown community raised money to assist families with storm related housing repairs. Region 6 assisted this effort with
property inspections, work write ups, reviewing construction quotes and
construction inspections at the end of the work. We completed about 78 inspections. With this effort more construction work could
be completed by qualified contractors.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Iowa Falls Project to Protect Critical Infrastructure
|
|
|
|
| |
|
In 2018, the City of Iowa Falls wastewater treatment plant and
public water supply were threatened by flood waters due to a major ice jam on the Iowa River. Two well heads
along the river were in danger of being overtopped. The wastewater treatment facility was also in
significant danger of being flooded. If
flood waters reached these facilities, thousands of Iowa Falls residents and businesses would not have sewer or
water service for weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 staff helped the city secure a $518,400 US
Economic Development Administration grant to flood-proof these essential facilities. Construction will hopefully be underway in late 2021 and complete sometime in
2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Region 6 Helps Albion and Garwin Tap Grant Funds for Water System Improvements
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The City of Albion has relied on only one compliant well for a
number of years. They have had numerous
problems finding a second source of reliable water. Region 6 staff helped the city secure a
$249,000 grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority to help drill a
second well and complete water treatment facility improvements. Albion will provide cash in the amount of
$318,000 from the State Revolving Fund.
Afterwards, residents can rest easy knowing they have a reliable, safe source for drinking water.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The City of Garwin water distribution system has flow and
pressure problems in parts of the their aging system.
Region 6 staff helped the city secure a $300,000 Iowa Economic
Development Authority grant to replace parts of the distribution system. Garwin will provide $391,000 of funds from
the State Revolving Fund to help complete all the needed improvements. After these improvements are completed,
residents will have adequate drinking water flows for daily activities like
showers, clothes and dish washing. The
city will also have adequate fire flows and hydrants for community
protection.
|
|
|
|
| |
Grant funds for these projects are provided by the Iowa
Economic Development Authority. If your
community has significant water improvement needs, please contact us to work
through the process to use these funds.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Four Regional Communities Get Waste Water Treatment System Upgrades
|
|
|
|
| |
The unincorporated community of Green Mountain in
northeast Marshall County currently has a non-compliant on-site wastewater collection and
treatment system. Constructing a
compliant on-site system is infeasible due to the small lot sizes. For the past 10-12 years, the area has been
working with Iowa Regional Utilities Association (IRUA) in Newton to construct
a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system for this village of
126 people. Delays have been a result of
land acquisition problems. Marshall
County received a $126,000 Iowa Economic Development Authority grant with
Region 6 assistance to help get this facility built. IRUA
will use about a $1.4 million USDA rural development grant and loan to also
construct the facility. The project will be completed sometime in 2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
LeGrand largely completed a $2.0 million wastewater
lagoon improvement project in 2020. Region
6 staff assisted the city with securing a $300,000 Iowa Economic Development
Authority grant and a $1.7 million State Revolving Fund loan for this large
improvement project. This project will
be fully complete in 2021.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Montezuma largely completed a $4.8 million wastewater
treatment improvement project in 2020.
Region 6 staff assisted the city with securing a $500,000 Iowa Economic
Development Authority grant and $4.3 million State Revolving Fund loan for this
large improvement project. This project
will be fully complete in 2021.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Grinnell recently completed a $500,000 Iowa
Economic Development Authority grant application for wastewater collection
improvement work in the southeastern part of the city. The City will need to provide cash assistance
in addition to the grant amount.
|
|
|
|
| |
We continue to work with area communities on wastewater
collection and treatment improvement projects.
All the previous projects were partially funded with grants from the
Iowa Economic Development Authority. Many
of these projects take years to fully develop.
If your area has a wastewater need, please contact us to assist with the
process necessary to secure grant and low interest loan funds.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Downtown Grinnell Building Facade Improvements
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The City of Grinnell, together with Region 6 Resource Partners,
completed Phase 1 of the downtown improvement project in 2017. This project expended about $1.4 million over
12 store fronts. This project made a
significant difference in the appearance of blighted downtown buildings.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
In 2020, Grinnell was funded to complete Phase 2. The remaining blighted facades around
downtown that need repaired will be part of this project. This project targets nine facades with a
$1.1 million budget. Nearly 45% of the project
expenses will be covered with outside federal grant funds through the Iowa
Economic Development Authority.
Construction should commence in late 2021 and be completed in
2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Creating Affordable Housing Options for Residents
|
|
|
|
| |
|
With funds from the Iowa Economic Development Authority
and some local funds, Region 6 Resource Partners assisted with five significant housing improvement projects
in 2020. Federal funds associated with these projects totaled approximately $1.1 million. Nearly 30 homes were improved in
Melbourne, Ackley, Tama, Toledo and Iowa Falls.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
These projects revitalized older, affordable and lower income
housing units. Common housing
improvements include new siding and windows, new roofs, insulation, electrical
upgrades, painting and insulation. After the improvements, these older homes
will remain affordable and available for low income families. It also assists in
providing adequate affordable work force housing.
|
|
|
|
| |
The Region 6 Housing Trust Fund program provided approximately $200,000 of improvements in 2020.
The percentage of funds spent by county included 29% in Hardin, 35% in Marshall, 9% in Tama, and 27% in Poweshiek. Over
a number of years we ensure that these funds are distributed per capita to each
county. More than 80% of funds were spent on
single family owner occupied housing improvements. The other funds were spent to assist with
tornado damage at the former Marshalltown Iowa Wholesale Building for
Marshalltown Senior Apartments. These
are low income restricted rental units.
Insurance funds did not cover all the damage to this historic
building.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Iowa River’s Edge Trail Expands Across Region
|
|
|
|
| |
|
In 2021, Hardin County should begin a $1.8 million
project to complete a 4.4 mile stretch of recreational trail improvements. Funds for this project were secured over
the past several years. This project starts
at near the southwest part of Steamboat Rock and continues to near Highway 175
in Eldora. Construction activities include
rehabilitating old railroad bridges and paving a 10-ft wide trail. Funding includes $392,000 of Region 6
recreational trail related funds, $672,000 of Federal Recreational funds,
$375,000 of State Recreational Trail funds, and $365,000 of local funds. Most of the construction work associated with this
project will take place in 2022.
|
|
|
|
| |
The Iowa River is the next big destination on the
Marshalltown section of Iowa River’s Edge Trail. The river is about 2.7 miles from the current
end of the finished trail. Getting to
the river requires many large bridge replacements and paving work. Bridge structures in Marshall County are
in much worse condition than railroad bridges in Hardin County. It is not feasible to improve these old
structures due to very poor structural conditions. Some of the bridges over this length will be
replaced in late 2021 and 2022. Funding
for these bridge replacements includes $547,000 of Region 6 Recreational Trail
related funds, $426,000 of State Recreational Trail funds and some local
cash.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
After the bridges are replaced, part of the distance to
the Iowa River can be paved. Region 6
staff assisted the City of Marshalltown in securing a $300,000 Federal Recreational Trail grant
to pave part of the distance to the Iowa River.
About $700,000 of additional state and local funds are still needed
for this phase. Paving work could
be completed in late 2022 and 2023.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Another phase will be needed after these projects to
replace bridges and pave to the Iowa River.
It will take several more years to reach Albion, which is about 1.2
miles beyond the Iowa River. The old
Iowa River Bridge could be a large improvement project.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
State and County Roads Slated for Improvements
|
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 Resource Partners annually administers the $2.6
million surface transportation program.
Roads must meet a certain federal functional classification threshold to
be eligible for funding. Eligible roads generally include the paved county system, the state network,
major roads in towns with 5,000 or more residents, and county or state connector roads in smaller cities under 5,000 people. We typically approve road projects several
years in the future. After our funding
approval, all project applicants must work with the IDOT on a very detailed
engineering process.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
In 2020 and 2021, Region 6 approved approximately $6 million of
projects totaling about 18
miles. State Center will resurface most
of the old Lincoln Highway. Ackley will
improve part of Butler Street. Hardin
County will improve D55 East of Highway 65 to S55, and S33 from D55 to Highway
65. Marshall County will pave S52 from
State Center to E29. Tama County will
pave E64 from Richland Creek to V18.
Poweshiek County will pave V30/F17 from Hartwick NE 3 miles. The Tama County FY 2020 project was 10 miles
on E64 from Highway 63 to V18.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Poweshiek County Conservation Receives Grant for Diamond Lake Park Enhancements
|
|
|
|
| |
Region 6 assisted Poweshiek County Conservation in
securing a $75,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant will be used for improvements along the Stagecoach Trail at
Diamond Lake County Park located north of Montezuma.
The park and trail are used often by area residents, campers, fishers and
boaters. The park also hosts community events like the 2019 Halloween Trunk or
Treat, annual 4-H Nature Campouts, and Wonders of Nature field trips for local
schools and daycare centers. In addition, Montezuma High School cross country, track and
football teams use the Stagecoach Trail for physical and
endurance conditioning.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The $150,000 total investment will provide an
updated restroom facility with two flush toilets, a drinking fountain, a 1.5 inch
trail overlay to refresh the trail surface and a paved parking area to make
the trail ADA accessible. The new restroom facility is replacing a pit toilet
that was installed in 1965. Residents and trail users will greatly appreciate
the improvements to this well-loved park.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Healthy Choices Initiative Underway in Grinnell
|
|
|
|
| |
|
The Iowa 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count program is a
perfect blend of public health and community planning. In 2020, Grinnell was
one of 14 communities across the state to be selected for the program. Grinnell
received $30,000 to develop and execute an action plan. The plan lists nearly
20 projects and will impact every sector of the community. Highlights include planting edible landscapes in a local park of blackberries,
raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, herbs and fruit trees; installing two
water bottle filling stations around town to increase access to water; and purchasing a blender bike to be used at community events. The bike is people powered
and contains a blender attached to the front of the bike. Participants pedal to
make a healthy smoothie drink.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
"There are so many organizations in Grinnell that
are working on ways to keep kids and families healthy, as well as
workplaces," said Nikki Laug, Healthy Readers Taskforce coordinator and
community member. “Finding a way to get these people together is important and the 5-2-1-0 program gave us a push to do that."
|
|
|
|
| |
Grinnell is making a difference with healthy community planning. Learn more about how you can get your community, workplace, school, health care
clinic or child care site involved in 5-2-1-0 by visiting the the Iowa Healthiest State website. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Peoplerides Regional Transit Continues Essential Services During Pandemic
|
|
|
|
| |
2020 was a challenging year for Peoplerides, our regional public transit service. Services, except dialysis transportation, were discontinued for several months at the beginning of the pandemic. Services have been discontinued and re-arranged over the past year due to possible exposures and other problems. Funding from the Cares Act covered our large financial operating losses over the past year. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Peoplerides employees have done an exceptional job working through the challenges, including sanitizing vehicles, testing, service disruptions, off site ride scheduling and all of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Today, our core ridership can access services to get to essential activities. This includes medical appointments, services, grocery stores and work sites. Most Peoplerides users are disabled and elderly.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Ridership in the first quarter of FY2021 was about 50% less than in FY2020. Service miles are down 40% and hours are down 30%. Most of our local funding sources are tied to passenger counts. Continuation of low passenger counts will have a significant long term impact on our ability to provide services. We are hopeful that the ridership comes back to historical levels in the summer of 2021, but that is unclear. We believe that some additional federal aid will be provided which will help us continue services with decreased funding and ridership.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Region 6 Resource Partners is Here to Help Communities Plan for the Future
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|---|
| 1.
| Provide an efficient,
multimodal transportation system to promote connectivity and mobility. | | 2. | Maintain and improve
existing infrastructure.
| | 3. | Improve safety and security. | | 4. | Provide an inclusive,
accessible and equitable transportation system. | | 5. | Enhance sustainability
of the region. | | 6. | Develop, maintain and
promote quality community spaces. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
All of our projects are the result of community and
regional planning efforts. We encourage
all communities to prioritize, solve problems and creativity plan
futures. Services are available through
our staff to help your community with short and long term challenges.
|
|
|
|
| |
This email was sent to [email address suppressed] by Region 6 Resource Partners, 903 East Main Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158. Questions or inquiries? Call (641) 752-0717. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you may Unsubscribe at any time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
