The cities of Columbus Junction and Keota recently received grants from the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Rural Housing Assessment Grant program. 

In partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment workshops, the program allows communities to assess their current development environment and enact policy and procedure changes that could attract potential developers. As recipients of the 2022 Rural Housing Assessment Grant, both Columbus Junction and Keota will receive $10,000 for the completion of the housing assessment data collection and ISU Extension and Outreach Rural Housing Assessment Readiness Workshop. A total of 11 applicants received grants for a funding amount of $110,000. For cities to qualify, they must have a population of 20,000 or less and not be contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater. All cities are required to invest in the project process by providing a $5,000 match.