Downtown Revitalization Fund
CDBG Programs
Assisting Projects that Revitalize Downtown Areas
Community leaders can use this program to rehabilitate blighted downtown buildings.
The program is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program. The goal of this program is to provide economic opportunities for people, especially those of low- and moderate income.
Who Qualifies?
The project must meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Slum and Blight National Objective- To meet this objective, the application must document the extent or seriousness of deterioration in the area to be assisted, showing a clear adverse effect on the well-being of the area or community and illustrating that the proposed activity will alleviate or eliminate the conditions causing the deterioration
- A comprehensive building survey as well as a city resolution is necessary to meet this national objective
How Do I Apply?
Applications are accepted annually, typically in the spring. Due dates are established by IEDA and are available on the IEDA website.
Visit iowagrants.gov for application instructions and to apply for funds.
IEDA is hosting a special round of CDBG applications for Downtown Revitalization (DTR) and Upper Story Rehabilitation (HSGU) projects. The application forms are now available and must be completed and uploaded into iowagrants by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday April 30, 2023. Any applications uploaded after that date and time will not be accepted.
Note that these special rounds will not offer the same funding level as the regular annual rounds as there is approximately enough money to fund two DTR projects and three or four HSGU projects.
Contact: Joyce Brown for the Upper Story component, joyce.brown@iowaeda.com or Ed Basch for the DTR component, ed.basch@iowaeda.com.
Downtown Revitalization Fund Award Maps
View a map of communities that have been awarded Downtown Revitalization funding and an outline of the project funded.
To determine the impact of the Downtown Revitalization Program, IEDA worked with Burayidi Consulting to conduct an assessment of the direct, indirect and induced impacts. The full report documenting these impacts is available from the IEDA. This document provides one aspect of the façade improvement impacts, property value change in cities.